Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Housing Màiri McAllan has unveiled a bold new Housing Emergency Action Plan aimed at tackling Scotland’s housing crisis. The plan sets out urgent measures to end children living in unsuitable accommodation, support vulnerable groups, and boost investment in housing across the country.
Speaking to the Scottish Parliament, McAllan outlined a series of commitments designed to deliver long-term change while addressing immediate needs.
Key Commitments in the Action Plan include:
- £4.9 billion investment over four years to deliver 36,000 affordable homes by 2029–30, providing safe housing for up to 24,000 children
- £80 million doubled investment in acquisitions this year to help move 600–800 children out of temporary accommodation
- Implementation of Awaab’s Law from March 2026, starting with damp and mould, ensuring landlords act swiftly on hazardous conditions
- Launch of a £1 million national ‘fund to leave’, supporting up to 1,200 women and children escaping abusive relationships
- Unlocking land for housing in rural areas through collaboration with the Scottish National Investment Bank, landowners and public bodies
- A new Ministerial direction to planning authorities to accelerate housing delivery
Commenting on the plan, McAllan said:
“Tackling the housing emergency will be a cornerstone in our efforts to achieve the Scottish Government’s key priority of eradicating child poverty. I am determined this action plan will deliver positive and lasting change.
“At the heart of my mission is ensuring children are not spending time in unsuitable accommodation or long periods in temporary accommodation; that the housing needs of vulnerable communities are met and that we create the optimum conditions for confidence and investment in Scotland’s housing sector.
"Our efforts so far since declaring a housing emergency have seen 2,700 families with children into a permanent home, up to December 2024. Our action plan will see tens of thousands more families have a place they can call home.
“Since I took up the role of Cabinet Secretary I have listened to calls from the sector for multi-year funding to give housebuilders more long-term certainty. Today I have committed to investing up to £4.9 billion in affordable homes over the next four years. This long-term certainty and increase in funding will support delivery of around 36,000 affordable homes and provide up to 24,000 children with a warm, safe home.
“We cannot tackle this emergency alone though and I need everyone from across the private and public sector to pull together and deliver this plan to ensure everyone in Scotland has access to a safe, warm and affordable home.”
The Housing Emergency Action Plan represents a whole-system response to Scotland’s housing challenges, combining legislative reform, financial support, and strategic planning. It aims to ensure safe, secure and affordable homes for all, particularly those most at risk.
The plan builds on existing efforts and introduces new mechanisms to accelerate delivery, protect tenants, and empower communities—with a strong focus on both urban regeneration and rural development.
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