25 Facts: Scotlands homes, housing and house building today

Recognising the gravity of the housing supply situation in Scotland, the Scottish Parliament took the important step of declaring a national housing emergency in May 2024.

One year on, this report, prepared for Homes for Scotland by the NHBC Foundation, looks behind the issue, presenting 25 key facts based on in-depth research from high-quality sources, as part of a shared mission to drive positive change.

Like NHBC, Homes for Scotland is passionate about the power of robust, relevant data to help shape a better future for housing. By improving understanding of the home-building sector and the pressing need for new homes across all tenures, we can influence the policy decisions that matter for Scotland.

To do this effectively, the information we rely one must be clear, current and reflect the real-world challenges and opportunities facing home builders.

This report brings together a wide range of metrics and trends across demographic factors, public attitudes and housing characteristics, answering questions such as:

• How many homes does Scotland need to build each year?
• What are the changing demands for homes and where are these required?
• Who owns housing in Scotland and how is ownership changing?
• How is public opinion on building new homes changing?
• What economic benefits would building more homes deliver?
• How much Scottish land with planning permission is held by major house builders?

It is designed to serve as a useful reference point for policymakers, partners and anyone with an interest in tackling Scotland’s undersupply of housing. By presenting these insights in one accessible report, we hope to support better decision-making, spark new thinking and help drive forward the policies and actions needed to deliver more homes in Scotland.