Scottish Government publishes Housing Emergency Action plan

The Scottish Government has published the Housing Emergency Action Plan to tackle the housing crisis.

The plan focuses on three key areas: stopping children living in unsuitable accommodation; supporting the housing needs of vulnerable groups and supporting growth and investment in the housing sector.

Making the announcement to the Scottish Parliament, housing secretary Màiri McAllan set out a number of commitments, including investing up to £4.9 billion over the next four years, delivering around 36,000 affordable homes by 2029-30 and providing a home for up to 24,000 children.

She committed to doubling investment in acquisitions this year to £80 million, which will help take between 600-800 children out of temporary accommodation.

Awaab's Law will be implemented from March 2026 and a new £1 million national ‘fund to leave’ will be set up to provide financial support for up to 1,200 women and their children to leave an abusive partner.

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."

Crisis Scotland’s Head of Policy and Communications Maeve McGoldrick said: “We welcome today’s announcement. Homelessness is the most acute form of poverty, and we see the damage it does through our frontline services every day.

“Investment in new housing will help prevent more people being forced from their homes, while the expansion of Housing First will provide a vital route out of homelessness for people who have been let down by services for too long.

“We can’t allow more people to be trapped in the limbo of the homelessness system – we need to act now to help build a Scotland where everyone has a safe, secure place to call home.”