Sturgeon pledges 50k affordable homes for Scotland

The first minister’s announcement, at the SNP conference in Aberdeen today, would mean a radical 66% increase in Scotland’s affordable housebuilding target compared to the current parliament.

The Scottish Government has previously pledged to build 30,000 affordable homes by 2016, by investing £1.7bn.

Ms Sturgeon also said an SNP government would nearly double its investment in affordable housing to £3bn. She did not say whether the additional investment would come from savings elsewhere or additional government borrowing.

Ms Sturgeon did not specify how many homes would be for social or mid-market rent, or how many would be for sale.

The 2016 Holyrood election is set to be held on Thursday 5 May 2016, with the SNP currently holding 44% of the seats, compared to Labour’s 26%.

In her speech today, Ms Sturgeon said housing will be “one of the biggest issues in the campaign”.

“In this parliament, we had a target of building 30,000 affordable homes and we are on track to meet it,” she said.

“Our plans must be affordable. But they must also be ambitious. I am therefore announcing today a bold new commitment. If we are re-elected next May, our target in the next parliament will be to build at least 50,000 new affordable homes.”

A total of 28,048 affordable homes were completed in Scotland up to the end of June 2015 – 93% of the 30,000 target. This includes 19,205 homes for social rent.

Mary Taylor, chief executive of the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, said she was “extremely pleased” by the announcement.

She added: “The announcement of a pot of £3bn in funding gives room for significant subsidy to the social housing element at affordable rents. This will help our members to plan programmes of affordable housing on the ground. Our sector stands ready to work with the government to deliver this ambition.”

Graeme Brown, director of Shelter Scotland, said: “This is undoubtedly good news for people across Scotland.”