By Bill Heaney
The average time people wait to be placed in social housing exceeds a year, according to new data.
Figures obtained by the Scottish Conservatives via Freedom of Information requests reveal that, in 21 of the 29 Scottish councils which responded, the average waiting time for a home is more than 12 months.
Freedom of Information appears to mean nothing to Labour-controlled West Dunbartonshire Council who refused to give information about the situation here.
The longest wait encountered by someone seeking social housing exceeds 20 years in 24 of those 32 local authorities, with the longest – 68 years – recorded in Renfrewshire Council, albeit the application in question is on hold.
The figures come against a backdrop of a £166 million cut to the housing budget by the Scottish government.
Shadow housing secretary Miles Briggs described the figures as “disgraceful” and “a damning indictment of the SNP-Green government’s housing failures”.
Miles Briggs MSP, right, said: “The SNP’s continued failure to prioritise the social housing emergency is disgraceful – and it is vulnerable people who are suffering the consequences.
“People should not be left languishing in temporary accommodation for a year while they wait for a permanent home – never mind more than two decades, which is the reality in the most extreme cases.
“These figures are deeply concerning and a damning indictment of the SNP-Green Government’s housing failures.
“Social housing is yet another area in which they have over-promised, but undelivered – and swingeing cuts to the housing budget are only likely to make the crisis even worse.
“The nationalists have dropped the ball on social housing for too long, yet again failing to focus on Scotland’s real priorities.”
The average waiting time to be placed in social homes exceeds a year in the majority of Scottish local authorities. A series of FOIs obtained by the Scottish Conservatives has shown that in 21 out of 29 Scottish Councils that provided the requested information, the average waiting time to be placed in social housing exceeds a year. Aberdeen City Council had the longest average waiting time (10.5 years), while movers in Edinburgh City Council (people looking to move from one social home to another) wait an average of 18 years. The councils that did not provide the requested information were Highland, Perth and Kinross and West Dunbartonshire. (FOIs available on request).
People have waited for more than 20 years to be placed in social housing in at least 24 councils. FOIs have shown that in 24 out of the 29 councils that provide the requested information, the average social housing waiting time was at least 20 years. The longest waiting time was 68 years in Renfrewshire Council, however the council has indicated that this applicant has no housing need and their housing application is on hold and has been for a number of years as they are not actively seeking rehousing. (FOIs available on request).
There are more than 300,000 people on social housing waiting lists. Figures obtained by the Scottish Conservatives have indicated that there are 327,585 people currently on social housing waiting lists. Glasgow City Council had the largest number of people with 36,186 people on social housing waiting lists. The only council which did not provide the requested data was West Dunbartonshire Council. (The Times, 29 May 2023, link).
There are more than 100,000 children on social housing waiting lists. Figures obtained by the Scottish Conservatives have indicated that there are currently 103,732 children on social housing waiting lists, across Scotland. Glasgow has 10,616 children on social housing waiting lists, most than any other council. The only council which did not provide the requested data was West Dunbartonshire Council, which appears slavishly to be following the SNP lead towards a Secret Scotland. (The Times, 29 May 2023, link).
The SNP Government has cut the overall housing budget by £166 million. In 2022-23, the SNP Government allocated £888 million towards housing. However, in 2023-24 they will be allocating £721.6 million. This is a £166.4 cut in cash terms. When it comes to building new homes, in 2022-23, the SNP Government allocated £744.3 million. However, in 2023-24 they will be allocating £567.5 million. This is a £176.5 cut in cash terms. (The Scottish Government, 15 December 2022, p. 44, link).
New housing under construction at Westcliff in Dumbarton but Labour council refuse to say how many people are on the waiting list to be housed.