Close to at least 40,000 disabled Scots are stuck on social housing waiting lists, according to shocking new figures obtained by the Scottish Conservatives.
Freedom of Information requests from the party to Scotland’s 32 local council authorities reveal that, based on the 27 authorities who responded, 39,875 people with disabilities are currently waiting to be housed.
Of that tally, 1,569 are disabled children under the age of 18.
The true total across Scotland is likely to be even higher, as five councils said they did not hold the relevant data.
Scottish Conservative shadow cabinet secretary for social justice, housing and equalities Miles Briggs MSP said: “These figures are an absolute disgrace and wholly unacceptable.
“It should be a source of shame for the SNP-Green Government that at least close to 40,000 disabled Scots are languishing on social housing waiting lists.
“Vulnerable disabled people have been abandoned by the SNP, including more than 1500 who are under 18.
“These appalling figures are the product of SNP cuts to the housing budget and their brutal underfunding of Scotland’s councils.
“Scotland is in the grip of a housing emergency because the SNP have failed to meet their own housebuilding targets and starved local councils of essential funding to tackle the growing problem of homelessness.
“We need urgent action from the SNP Government before this crisis deepens – starting with them declaring a national housing emergency.”
Notes
There are currently at least 39,875 people with disabilities on social housing waiting lists. Data obtained by the Scottish Conservatives, through Freedom of Information requests, indicated that there are currently at least 39,875 people on social housing waiting lists, 1,569 of which are under the age of 18. However, the real number is likely to be even higher with 5 local authorities indicating that they do not hold the requested data. (FOIs available on request).
The SNP Government have cut the Housing and Building Standards Budget by more than £200 million in cash terms. In 2023-24, the SNP Government allocated £738.8 million to the Housing and Buildings standards budget. However, for 2024-25, they will be allocating £533.2 million. (Scottish Government Budget 2024-25, 19 December 2023, Page 53, link).
The number of affordable homes started has decreased by 24%. There were 1,341 affordable homes started in the latest quarter July to September 2023, which brings the total number of affordable homes started in the 12 months to end September 2023 to 6,302. This was a decrease of 24% (1,996 homes) on the 8,298 started in the previous year, and the lowest annual figure to end September since 2015. There was a decrease in the latest year to end September 2023 in the number of starts for social rent (by 29%, or 1,947 homes) and other affordable rent (by 40% or 377 homes), although affordable home ownership increased (by 45% or 328 homes). (Housing Statistics for Scotland Quarterly Update: New Housebuilding and Affordable Housing Supply to end September 2023, The Scottish Government, 12 December 2023, link).