Housebuilding in Scotland has fallen to its lowest level in a decade, according to new data released by the Scottish government. The number of homes completed is at its lowest since 2015, while new starts are at their lowest since 2013.
The data shows an overall slowdown in housebuilding activity, with fewer social and new-build homes being delivered. Completions decreased by 11%, representing 2,123 fewer homes, and new starts fell by 2%, or 272 fewer homes, compared to the previous year.
In the private sector, 13,574 homes were completed and 11,842 homes were started. Private-sector completions saw a 7% drop (987 fewer homes), and starts fell by 8% (1,026 fewer homes) compared to the previous year.
The number of social homes built remains low, with 5,353 social homes completed in the last 12 months as part of a total of 6,772 affordable homes. This figure is below the estimated 15,693 social homes per year needed to begin reducing homelessness.
James Adams MSP, Scottish Conservative housing spokesman, stated that these figures are a "devastating indictment of the SNP’s housing record." Gordon Llewellyn-MacRae, interim director at Shelter Scotland, commented that more children are experiencing homelessness due to the insufficient number of social homes.