CIH Scotland responds to the publication of the Housing Emergency Action Plan

The Scottish Government's has published its Housing Emergency Action Plan. The plan focuses on three key areas – ending children living in unsuitable accommodation, supporting the housing needs of vulnerable groups and supporting growth and investment in the housing sector.

In a statement to the Scottish Parliament, cabinet secretary for housing Màiri McAllan set out a number of key commitments, including:

• A new commitment to invest up to £4.9 billion over the next four years, delivering around 36,000 affordable homes by 2029-30 and providing a home for up to 24,000 children
• Doubling investment in acquisitions this year to £80 million, which will help take between 600-800 children out of temporary accommodation.
• Implement Awaab’s Law from March 2026, starting with damp and mould, subject to parliamentary approval, to ensure landlords promptly address issues hazardous to tenants.
• A new £1 million national ‘fund to leave’ to provide financial support for up to 1,200 women and their children to leave an abusive partner.
• Unlocking land for housing in rural areas by working with the Scottish National Investment Bank, landowners and public bodies.
• A new Ministerial direction to planning authorities.

Responding to the publication and parliamentary statement Callum Chomczuk, CIH Scotland's national director said: "The Housing Emergency Action Plan published today by Scottish Government sets out a number of welcome priorities that CIH Scotland have called for in recent months. We are delighted that there is a commitment to exclude mid-market rent homes from rent controls, giving social landlords assurance to keep developing; the fund to leave will help victims of domestic abuse leave an abusive home- the main cause of homelessness for women; and the additional £40 million for acquisition - if new money - will support social landlords to buy properties to move families and children out of temporary accommodation. These are all to be applauded.

"The headline announcement of £4.9 billion investment over four years for social and affordable housing is a step in the right direction. The commitment to multiyear funding provides confidence to social landlords and developers, creating jobs, economic growth and providing homes for those who need them. However, as noted in the report published today from CIH Scotland, Shelter Scotland and the SFHA, £8.2 billion is needed over the next five years to build the 78,465 social and affordable homes Scotland needs by 2031. £4.9 billion is a welcome demonstration of intent, but it fails to meet Scotland's social and affordable housing need and resolve the housing emergency.

"We hope the Housing Emergency Action Plan published today sets the tone for a cross-party consensus on housing policy for Scotland, and that our MSPs build on the priorities set out by the Scottish Government today and prioritise the financing of more than 75,000 social and affordable homes in the next Parliament. This is required so that everyone in Scotland has a secure, affordable home."