Affordable Housing Supply Programme information: FOI release

Information requested

1. Any correspondence sent to Mairi Gougeon or Jim Fairlie on the Scottish Government's new 'More Homes Scotland' agency.

2. Any correspondence sent from Mairi Gougeon or Jim Fairlie on the Scottish Government's new 'More Homes Scotland' agency.

3. A confirmation of how much funding will be put aside for rural and island house building between now and 2029.

4. How many rural and island homes does the Scottish Government aim to build by 2029.

Response

1. Any correspondence sent to Mairi Gougeon or Jim Fairlie on the Scottish Government's new 'More Homes Scotland' agency.

No correspondence has been sent to Mairi Gougeon or Jim Fairlie on the Scottish Government’s new ‘More Homes Scotland’ agency.

2. Any correspondence sent from Mairi Gougeon or Jim Fairlie on the Scottish Government's new 'More Homes Scotland' agency.

No correspondence has been sent from Mairi Gougeon or Jim Fairlie on the Scottish Government’s new ‘More Homes Scotland’ agency.

3. A confirmation of how much funding will be put aside for rural and island house building between now and 2029.

The Affordable Housing Supply Programme is not ringfenced or earmarked for either urban or rural areas. The share of funding that each local authority area receives through the Affordable Housing Supply Programme is informed by the Strategic Housing Investment Framework agreed with CoSLA and supports the delivery of local authority strategic affordable housing priorities.

The Strategic Housing Investment Framework takes into account four main indicators – affordability, deprivation, rurality and homelessness.

The Scottish Government's delivery ambition for housing in rural and island communities remains as at least 10% of all homes delivered through the Affordable as opposed to a percentage share of budget.

In the Housing Emergency Action Plan published in September 2025, the Cabinet Secretary for Housing set out investment of up to £4.9 billion over the next four years, of which £4.1 billion will be public investment.

4. How many rural and island homes does the Scottish Government aim to build by 2029.

The Scottish Government does not build homes. The Scottish Government supports the delivery of affordable homes, primarily through the Affordable Housing Supply Programme. Projects are delivered primarily by Local Authorities, Registered Social Landlords, private developers and other partners.

The Scottish Government remains committed to delivering 110,000 affordable homes by 2032, with at least 10% in rural and island communities. Current delivery against the 110,000 target in rural and island communities is around 20% of all affordable homes delivered.

As the statutory housing provider, local authorities are responsible for assessing and delivering their strategic affordable housing priorities, as set out in their Local Housing Strategy and Strategic Housing Investment Plan.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.