Scottish Programme for Government announcement

John Swinney delivered his first Programme for Government as First Minister at Holyrood yesterday.

A part of the government’s commitment to eradicating child poverty in Scotland, affordable housing has been identified as a key priority.

The First Minister confirmed plans to invest nearly £600 million in affordable housing in 2024/25 and said that the majority of this will be directed at boosting social housing supply – keeping rents lower and benefiting 140,000 children in poverty each year.

He also announced his government will provide a further £100 million to support the construction of around 2,800 mid-market rental homes.

Callum Chomczuk, Scotland national director of Chartered Institute of Housing commented:

“We are encouraged by the recognition of the priority for social and affordable housing in the Programme for Government and we welcome the announcement of new funding of £100m to support the development of mid-market rent housing. An additional 2,800 homes will play a key part in addressing our homelessness crisis.

“In addition, the acknowledgement that the rent control provisions in the Housing Bill must be amended so that the proposals retain investor confidence is a positive sign, and an issue the sector has been campaigning on since before the Bill was introduced. While we wait further details on whether that is applicable to individual landlords, institutional investors or both, we are encouraged by the Programme for Government announcement.

“We hope the focus on affordable and social housing in this Programme for Government will send a message about future spending priorities in the Scottish Government and its leadership with regards to the housing emergency.”