Affordable Housing Supply Programme (AHSP) - Deliverability Review

2025 to 2026 Programme for Government

As outlined in the Programme for Government on 6th May 2025, housing continues to be a clear priority for the Scottish Government in the year ahead, with a range of actions being taken to ensure people can access good quality, affordable homes backed by the increased investment in affordable housing of £768 million for 2025 to 2026.

See Annex B for more information on some of the key priorities included in the 2025 to 2026 Programme for Government statement issued.

Methodology

During Spring 2024, More Homes Division officials conducted a series of online workshops with a range of internal and external stakeholders (local authorities, businesses, housing professionals, and resident and tenant representatives). Over 90 people attended these workshops (Annex A), which were framed around the following broad themes:

• responsiveness: How responsive is the current programme in delivering its stated objectives and responding to risks and emerging needs?
• impact: Does the programme deliver effectively across different geographies, types of projects and in meeting the needs of diverse client groups?
• efficiency: Is our approach, proportionate, transparent, fit for purpose and supportive of the overall delivery and policy objectives?
• value for money: How are costs being managed and could greater value be derived from existing investment?
• deliverability: Are there any steps that can be taken to reliably increase affordable housing output in line with Scottish Government priorities and what may be the implications/trade-offs intrinsic to pursuing that?

A short, anonymised survey was also shared with external stakeholders – 38 responses were received, which have informed the content.

Following the declaration of a national Housing Emergency in May 2024 work on this review was slowed to ensure that the full focus of the Scottish Government was on tackling the Housing Emergency. However, further activity has informed our analysis of the deliverability of the programme. Examples include:

• the pivoting of the external Housing to 2040 governance board to focus on the Housing Emergency. Discussions at the Board (the minutes for which are published) have included focus on the role of voids and acquisitions within the programme, and impactful budget utilisation
• additional regular engagement with local authorities with a Housing Emergency focus
• regular engagement with key housing sector stakeholders including those representing housing associations