The ‘Still Waiting’ report, commissioned by SFHA and Wheatley Group and conducted by Altair Research, has heard directly from people across Scotland on the devastating physical and mental health consequences of their prolonged wait for social housing. 

It comes as the Scottish Budget, which includes a reversal of last year’s hammer-blow cut to the affordable homes budget, looks set to pass at Holyrood today after the Scottish Government struck a deal with opposition parties to support its tax and spending plans. 

Whilst SFHA has welcomed the £212 million uplift for the affordable homes programme, it insisted that future funding needs to go further and called for a long-term funding plan for more social homes, citing the “devastating” experience of people stuck on waiting lists. 

Tenants living in the private rented sector, where rents typically average double the amount of council and housing association homes, say the housing emergency has meant many of them have cut back on social activities and they struggle to afford other essential household bills. 

Alan Mitchell, who lives in Moray with his wife Samatha and two children, has been on a social housing waiting list for almost six years. He says the uncertainty caused by his private tenancy has taken its toll on his children’s upbringing, with both children sharing a bedroom due to lack of space. 

He said: “We’ve been on the waiting list for six years and every time we think we’re near the top of the list; it feels like the rug has been pulled out from under us. 

“There are just not enough homes to go around and we’re going in circles. Sharing a room has meant the children have often struggled with sleep and that can have a huge impact on things like schooling.  

“A social home would be life-changing, it’d give us that space and much-needed security.” 

Nearly 250,000 people across Scotland are currently on a waiting list for a social home. Development has not kept pace with demand as housing associations and councils have seen years of government cuts. It also follows the declaration of a national housing emergency by the Scottish Parliament last year and recent statistics showing the number of children in temporary housing reaching record highs. 

Reacting to the report, SFHA chief executive Sally Thomas said: “This devastating research lays bare the consequences of our housing emergency. 

“We know that nearly 250,000 people in Scotland are on a waiting list for a social home: this report shows that they are often trapped in insecure, unaffordable housing which does not meet their needs and takes a significant toll on their physical and mental wellbeing.  

“Delivering more social homes has to be a national priority. While it was of course welcome that the Scottish Budget saw consensus on restoring the Affordable Housing Supply Programme, this needs to be ramped up over a number of years to give housing associations the certainty to build at the required scale.  

“Our Still Waiting campaign will continue to focus on the urgent need for many, many more safe, warm, affordable rented homes.” 

Steven Henderson, chief executive of Wheatley Group, said: “Increasing the supply and maintenance of homes that are affordable, fuel efficient and of high quality has never been more essential in Scotland. It’s central to what Wheatley stands for and does. 

“Since 2021, Wheatley has committed to building around 3000 new affordable homes. Last year, we were recognised as the UK’s largest builder of social homes over the past decade. But we know more can always be done, and even more homes need to be built, as demand for affordable housing continues to outstrip supply.  

“This report outlines the challenges and hardship faced by people on waiting lists and the devastating impact it has on the lives of families. 

“We are determined to use our scale and capacity to play our part in addressing the acute shortage of affordable housing in Scotland.”