There has been an 18% rise in the number of new build homes completed in Scotland in the past year, new data reveals.
The latest Quarterly Housing Statistics for Scotland reports that there were 21,402 new builds completed across all sectors over the year ending June 2019. This is an increase of 3,210 homes on the past year.
The 18% increase was the average figure comprised from completions by the private sector, housing associations, local authorities and social sector. Private sector construction activity included self build activity by local builders.
The data was recorded by Local Authority administrative systems and the Scottish Government Affordable Housing Supply Programme (AHSP) system.
Prior to the 2019 General Election, the Conservatives pledged to build 300,000 new homes per year – having previously struggled to meet this target – and will now bid to build at least a million more homes over the next Parliament.
Affordable Housing
Affordable housing was a primary homebuilding feature in the major political parties’ manifestos, especially following a report in November indicating the delivery of affordable housing has stagnated over the last 10 years.
Self build and custom build offers a very attractive alternative for those struggling to afford to buy a home, with self builders typically enjoying a profit of 25% on their investment, as reported in the Homebuilding & Renovating Self & Custom Build Market Report 2017.
In Scotland the figures demonstrated that affordable housing supply completions are 1% down this year (8,976) compared to the previous year (9,034). However, there was a 1% increase in the amount of affordable homes started in the year to end September (up by 128 homes, 10,855 in total).
These affordable housing supply statistics are used to inform the Scottish government’s target of delivering 50,000 affordable homes over the period 2016/17.