Government ‘on track’ to meet target of 110,000 new homes – Swinney

John Swinney has said the Scottish Government is “on track” to meet its goal of building 110,000 affordable homes by 2032, despite reports the target is at risk.

Both the First Minister and Edinburgh council’s leader also said it is necessary to buy newbuild homes for social housing.

On Wednesday, The Scotsman reported Edinburgh council is spending more than £95 million over two years buying homes from private developers.

With 335 properties purchased, the sum means the average home has cost the council almost £285,000.

Last year Labour revealed Scottish Government briefing documents which showed ministers were privately warned the 110,000 target is as risk and its timetable is under review.

In 2021 the SNP pledged to build “110,000 energy efficient, affordable homes by 2032”.

Asked about this on Wednesday, Mr Swinney told the PA news agency: “I think it is on track, because we’ve significantly increased the budget in the Budget which Parliament has recently passed.

“We now have investment at £768 million in the forthcoming financial year.

“I want to make sure we’ve got sustained investment in housing in the years to come.”

It was put to the First Minister that the target had been given a “red” rating on the Government’s risk register, meaning it has a very high chance of not being met.

Mr Swinney said: “We’ve increased the investments we’ve made in housing.

Buying off-the-shelf homes at reduced prices - below market prices - is part of the jigsaw of different methods we have of addressing the housing emergency

“I’m confident we’re on track to achieve our targets.

“But I’m primarily focused we take actions in the here and now to address the housing challenges that people face.

“I think it’s unacceptable we’ve got so many people in temporary accommodation.”

The Government supports “pragmatic” steps to increase housing stock, he said, including acquiring newbuilds for affordable and social housing.

Edinburgh council leader Jane Meagher was asked about the £95 million spending on newbuild homes, saying it is just one method of acquiring new homes.

She told PA: “We have got many ways of addressing the housing emergency in Edinburgh, and this is just one of them.

“We’re finding that it’s more economical, for example, than spending the millions that we do spend on accommodating people in temporary accommodation.

“Buying off-the-shelf homes at reduced prices – below market prices – is part of the jigsaw of different methods we have of addressing the housing emergency.”