Find more funding
There are many other organisations who may be offering funding that will help you, and our handy funding search tool brings them all together.
Record Investment and New National Agency Mark Major Shift in Scotland’s Affordable Housing Ambitions
Major reforms and unprecedented funding set out to boost affordable housing supply with greater speed and coordination.
Scotland’s housing landscape is set for significant transformation as the Scottish Government announces record investment in affordable homes alongside the creation of a new national housing agency designed to accelerate delivery, simplify processes and support long‑term sector resilience.
The Government has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding affordable housing supply, highlighting that investment in this area has reached its highest level to date. Ministers emphasise that affordable homes remain central to Scotland’s wider ambitions for economic growth, community wellbeing and tackling inequality. The continued focus on social housing, in particular, reflects the Government’s view that secure, high‑quality homes are essential to reducing poverty and supporting families through the ongoing cost‑of‑living pressures.
Alongside this record investment, a major structural change is underway with the establishment of a new national housing body. The agency will bring together expertise from across the sector to deliver greater simplicity, scale and speed in the development of affordable homes. Its creation responds to long‑standing calls from local authorities, housing associations and developers for a more streamlined system that reduces duplication, accelerates decision‑making and provides clearer national leadership.
The new organisation will take on responsibility for coordinating delivery, supporting innovation and ensuring that investment is targeted where it can have the greatest impact. By consolidating functions that are currently spread across multiple teams and agencies, the Government aims to create a more agile and responsive system capable of meeting Scotland’s long‑term housing needs.
Ministers have stressed that the agency will work closely with local partners, recognising that housing challenges vary significantly across Scotland. Rural, island and remote communities face distinct pressures, including higher construction costs, limited land availability and smaller local markets. Urban areas, meanwhile, continue to experience high demand and increasing pressure on existing stock. The new body is expected to support tailored solutions that reflect these diverse local contexts.
The Government has also highlighted the wider economic benefits of sustained investment in affordable housing. The construction and maintenance of homes supports thousands of jobs, strengthens local supply chains and contributes to Scotland’s net‑zero ambitions through modern, energy‑efficient building standards. By providing stability and long‑term planning certainty, the new agency is expected to help unlock further private and public investment.
Sector leaders have broadly welcomed the announcements, noting that the combination of record funding and a more coordinated national approach could help address some of the systemic barriers that have slowed delivery in recent years. Many have emphasised the importance of maintaining strong partnerships with local authorities, housing associations and community organisations to ensure that the new agency builds on existing strengths rather than replacing them.
As Scotland continues to face rising demand for affordable homes, the Government’s dual approach—significant investment paired with structural reform—signals a renewed determination to accelerate progress. The coming months will see further detail on the agency’s remit, governance and transition arrangements, with ministers promising a collaborative process shaped by the needs of communities across the country.
