Following on from two previous reports published in 2015 and 2020, the research will report on Scotland’s affordable housing need over the length of the next Parliamentary term (2026-2031) and will consider the success of the current Affordable Housing Supply Programme and levels of demand to identify how many new homes are required.

The research will again be carried out by researchers from Sheffield Hallam University, University of Sheffield, and the UK Collaborative Centre for Housing Research. The last research findings published in March 2020 in the Affordable Housing Need in Scotland post-2021 report identified that 53,000 affordable homes were needed by 2026.

The findings are expected by the summer of 2025 and will be used by the commissioning organisations to inform discussions with all political parties ahead of the 2026 Scottish Parliamentary elections.

Callum Chomczuk, CIH Scotland national director, said: “Escalating costs of construction and an underfunding of Scotland’s affordable housing supply programme have set us back in delivering the social and affordable homes Scotland needs in this Parliamentary term.

“We hope this research will provide a new baseline and accurate assessment of affordable housing need and will be reflected by all parties in the housing policies of their 2026 manifestos.”

Sally Thomas, SFHA chief executive, said: “Amid the backdrop of a national housing emergency, it is essential that there is a clear and definitive understanding of the scale of need for a safe, secure and affordable home.

“This research will be crucial in helping us chart a path out of the emergency, setting out not only the number of affordable homes needed across Scotland but informing the investment required to build them.”

Alison Watson, director of Shelter Scotland, said: “We know there is an urgent need for more social homes to be built in Scotland. With 10,110 children in temporary homes, ensuring safe and permanent housing for families in Scotland needs to be a crucial priority for all parties in their housing policy.

“Since the last report in 2020, 13 local authorities have declared a housing emergency after decades of under-investment. Since March 2022 and June 2024, 22,743 affordable homes have been built. That is 21% of the target. We hope this report will serve as a stark reminder of the need for safe, secure and affordable homes for the people of Scotland so that no one finds themselves homeless.”