Housing First: monitoring reports

1 October 2025 to 31 March 2026

The data collected by the Scottish Government captures Housing First tenancies which started between 1 April 2021 and 31 March 2026. Prior to this date, data on Housing First tenancies in the pathfinder areas were independently assessed and published on the Homeless Network Scotland website. This data is estimated and produced to inform policy delivery and development.  This report is the final publication in this format and marks the conclusion of the current five-year Housing First reporting period.  

Key points

Tenancies in Scotland

It is estimated that a total of 2529[1] Housing First tenancies have started across Scotland at 31 March 2026.

New Tenancies

Between 1 October 2025 and 31 March 2026, 183 new Housing First tenancies were started, with an additional 10 reported that commenced before 1 October 2025, totalling 193 new tenancies. This brings the total number of tenancies started since 1 April 2021 to 1695[2].

Active Tenancies

Of the 1695 tenancies started since 1 April 2021, 1350 tenancies remain active. A total of 345 tenancies have ended[3].

Transition Phases

Currently, 186 tenancies are in the 'step down'[4] phase, and 246 are in the 'stand down' phase.

Household Composition

Within the active 1,350 tenancies there are 1376 adults and 226 children, with an additional 159 households having access to 242 children but without full-time custody.

Children Residing in Housing First

19 local authorities have 128 tenancies in which 226 children are resident.

Average Waiting Time

The average time from referral to permanent tenancy is 196 days, with 29% moving into their tenancy within 50 days.

Demographics

90% of Housing First households are single people. The majority of participants (40%) are aged 35-49.

Sustainment Rate

Tenancy sustainment[5] rates are at 84%[6] over 12 months after entry.

Housing First across Scotland

As of 31 March 2026, 26 local authorities are operating a Housing First programme. Six authorities are not operating a Housing First programme or have an alternative support programme in place.

This monitoring report captures Housing First tenancies which have begun across all 26 local authorities which are currently delivering Housing First. It also contains historical data from Scottish Borders Council which ended its Housing First program in September 2024. The latest data shows varying levels of tenancy delivery across different regions, with Fife starting the highest number of tenancies in this reporting period followed by Renfrewshire, North Lanarkshire, Aberdeenshire, North Ayrshire, City of Edinburgh and Glasgow City.

Tenancies

183 new Housing First tenancies started across 20 local authorities between 1 October 2025 and 31 March 2026. Six local authorities reported zero new tenancies started during this period, and eleven reported under five. This brings the total number of Housing First tenancies started between 1 April 2021 and 31 March 2026 to 1,695. All tenants are in a permanent tenancy and are not in temporary accommodation.

345 tenancies have now ended. It should be noted that a Housing First tenancy may end due to an individual choosing to move to an alternative housing option that meets their needs, including supported accommodation. 186 people have now moved into the ‘step down’ phase; and a further 246 are in the ‘stand down’ phase of Housing First.

Table A: Total number of tenancies started in each local authority between 1 April 2021 and 31 March 2026 and latest 6-month return (1 October 2025 - 31 March 26)

1 April 2021 – 31 March 2026                           

Local Authority	Tenancies
Scotland	1695[7]
Renfrewshire	194
Fife	185
Glasgow City	150
Aberdeenshire	140
City of Edinburgh	119
North Ayrshire	111
North Lanarkshire	102
Midlothian	91
Dundee City	78
Aberdeen City	63
West Dunbartonshire	61
Inverclyde	59
Stirling	46
Moray	33
Falkirk	28
South Ayrshire	27
West Lothian	27
Perth & Kinross	25
South Lanarkshire	23
Dumfries & Galloway	22
East Ayrshire	21
Scottish Borders	21
East Lothian	20
Angus	17
Argyll & Bute	15
Western Isles	9
Highland	8

1 October 2025 – 31 March 2026        

Local Authority	Tenancies
Scotland	183
Fife	41
Renfrewshire	35
North Lanarkshire	16
Aberdeenshire	13
North Ayrshire	13
City of Edinburgh	10
Glasgow City	10
Midlothian	8
Moray	5
West Lothian	5
Aberdeen City	<5
Dundee City	<5
East Ayrshire	<5
East Lothian	<5
West Dunbartonshire	<5
South Ayrshire	<5
Angus	<5
Dumfries & Galloway	<5
Falkirk	<5
Perth & Kinross	<5
Stirling	<5
Argyll & Bute	0
Western Isles	0
Highland	0
Inverclyde	0
Scottish Borders	0
South Lanarkshire	0

Table B: Total number of tenancies started in each local authority each reporting year between 1 April 2021 and 31 March 2026.

Local Authority	Year 1	Year 2	Year 3	Year 4	Year 5
Aberdeen City	14	10	10	13	16
Aberdeenshire	39	21	32	20	28
Angus	7	less than 5	less than 5	less than 5	2
Argyll & Bute	0	less than 5	7	0	less than 5
Dumfries & Galloway	6	5	6	less than 5	less than 5
Dundee City	12	23	18	13	12
East Ayrshire	less than 5	5	less than 5	less than 5	6
East Lothian	less than 5	less than 5	less than 5	5	8
City of Edinburgh	25	20	27	23	24
Western Isles	less than 5	less than 5	less than 5	0	less than 5
Falkirk	14	5	less than 5	less than 5	less than 5
Fife	13	15	48	50	57
Glasgow City	41	34	29	20	16
Highland	less than 5	less than 5	less than 5	0	less than 5
Inverclyde	10	16	18	14	less than 5
Midlothian	22	19	20	20	10
Moray	0	6	10	7	11
North Ayrshire	22	22	16	23	28
North Lanarkshire	27	23	8	26	20
Perth & Kinross	0	0	16	6	less than 5
Renfrewshire	29	44	20	39	60
Scottish Borders	6	less than 5	9	less than 5	0
South Ayrshire	8	7	5	5	less than 5
South Lanarkshire	10	6	5	less than 5	0
Stirling	16	9	13	6	less than 5
West Dunbartonshire	29	15	less than 5	8	7
West Lothian	less than 5	less than 5	less than 5	less than 5	13
Total	364	325	336	319	351

Information was gathered on whether or not households had a homelessness application (HL1) and/or Housing Options (PREVENT1) approach recorded. Data shows that 90% of Housing First participants had a homelessness application, and 66% had a Housing Options[8] approach recorded.

Household characteristics

The data for this section is based on the main Housing First participant in ‘live’, ‘step down’ or ‘stand down’ tenancies which began between 1 April 2021 and 31 March 2026.

Gender          

Across the 1350 ‘live’, ‘step down’ or ‘stand down’ tenancies, 64% of the main Housing First tenants are male and 35% are female.

Chart 1: The household composition of Housing First tenancies

Household type	Percentage
Single male	61.6%
Single female	28.7%
Single parent	7.8%
Couple with children	0.7%
Couple	0.7%
Other	0.6%

Chart 1 note: 90% of Housing First households are single people. ‘Single Parent’ includes both male and female data. Chart percentages may not add up to 100% due to rounding.

Chart 2: Housing First tenancies with children

Housing First Tenancies with Children

Tenancies with Children	Amount
End of Year 1	9
End of Year 2	37
End of Year 3	79
End of Year 4	77
End of Year 5	128

Number of Children residing

Number of Children residing	Amount
End of Year 1	18
End of Year 2	64
End of Year 3	144
End of Year 4	137
End of Year 5	226

Out of the 1,350 active Housing First tenancies, 128 tenancies include 226 children.

Chart 3: Housing First tenancies with access to children

Housing First Tenancies with access to Children

Tenancies with access to children	Amount
End of Year 1	36
End of Year 2	76
End of Year 3	106
End of Year 4	137
End of Year 5	159

Number of Children

Number of Children	Amount
End of Year 1	59
End of Year 2	115
End of Year 3	167
End of Year 4	215
End of Year 5	242

Households with access to children without full-time custody have slightly increased in this period, with 159 households having access to 242 children but without full-time custody.

Age

Chart 4: Age of main Housing First participant at tenancy start date

Age	Percentage
16-17	1.9%
18-24	15.9%
25-34	27.0%
35-49	40.2%
50-64	14.4%
65+	0.5%

Chart 4 note: Chart percentages may not add up to 100% due to rounding.

Ethnicity

Chart 5: Ethnicity of the main Housing First tenant

Ethnicity	Percentage
White Scottish	93.4%
Other British	3.4%
Other ethnic group	3.2%

Sexual Orientation

Chart 6: Sexual orientation of the main Housing First tenant

Sexual orientation	Percentage
Heterosexual/ Straight	65%
Don’t know	29%
Prefer not to say	3%
Gay/Lesbian	2%
Bi-Sexual	1%

Disability

Chart 7: Proportion of Housing First participants with a disability

Disability status	Percentage
No	67%
Yes	26%
Don’t know	6%
Prefer not to say	1%

Housing First tenancies

For the ‘live’, ‘step down’ or ‘stand down’ tenancies which have begun since 1 April 2021, the average length of time between participants being referred for Housing First support and being offered a permanent tenancy is 180 days across the 26 local authorities. The average time from referral to permanent tenancy is 196.

Chart 8: Tenancy type of ‘live’, ‘step down’ or ‘stand down’ tenancies

Tenancy type	Percentage
LA Tenancy	70%
RSL	26%
PRS	4%

Of the 1,350 ‘live’, ‘step down’ or ‘stand down’ tenancies, the proportion of local authority tenancies has increased by 1% to 70%. Registered social landlords (RSLs) have provided a steady proportion of Housing First tenancies. 54 tenancies are either in the private rented sector (PRS) or ‘Other’.

Chart 9: Banded national average in days to access a permanent tenancy from referral date

Days	Percentage
0-50	30.5%
51-100	15.9%
101-150	11.1%
151-200	11.0%
201-250	6.8%
251-300	6.4%
301-350	4.8%
351-450	3.4%
451-550	2.4%
551-650	1.8%
651-750	1.2%
751+	4.7%

Chart 9 shows that 30.5% of Housing First participants move into their tenancies within 50 days. The proportion of participants waiting over 350 days is 13.5%.

Referral route

Chart 10: Referral route of Housing First participants

Referral route	Percentage
Homelessness application	61%
Area housing office	9%
Third Sector	9%
Addiction referral	6%
Other	5%
Criminal Justice System	5%
Prison	2%
Through-care/ after-care	1%
Mental Health Referral	1%
Self-Referral	1%
Police/NHS	0.5%

Chart 10 note: Chart percentages may not add up to 100% due to rounding.

Housing First support

The data for this section is based on the main Housing First participant in 918 tenancies where support continues to be provided, and the tenancy is ‘live’. This excludes tenancies which are in the ‘step down’ or ‘stand down’ phase.

Local authorities were asked to record the support that each Housing First participant is currently receiving or has previously received. Given the small numbers in a number of categories, information on ‘current’ and ‘previous’ support needs have been combined for disclosure control purposes.

Chart 11: Proportion of Housing First participants with support needs

Support needs	Percentage
General Housing Support	94%
Accessing Benefits	83%
Upkeep of Tenancy	83%
Budgeting	82%
Mental Health	81%
Resettlement	77%
Safety/Security	70%
Drugs	69%
Criminal Activity	62%
Social Isolation	60%
Advocacy	50%
Physical Health	50%
Alcohol	48%
Exploitation	43%
Other	34%
Literacy	23%
Sexual Health	14%
Learning Disability	11%
Personal Care	8%

Chart 11 shows the proportion of participants who were recorded as having a ‘current’ or ‘previous’ support need across 19 categories.

Chart 12: Proportion of Housing First participants with support needs which are not catered for.

Support needs	Percentage
Budgeting	5.6%
Mental Health	5.4%
Drugs	3.6%
Upkeep of Tenancy	2.8%
Exploitation	2.7%
Alcohol	2.5%
Physical Health	2.5%
Sexual Health	2.5%
Learning Disability	2.2%
Social Isolation	2.2%
Personal Care	2.1%
Advocacy	1.9%
Other	1.9%
Literacy	1.4%
Safety/Security	1.3%
General Housing Support	1.1%
Criminal Activity	0.8%
Accessing Benefits	0.8%
Resettlement	0.5%

Chart 12 shows where support was required, but not provided, for Housing First participants across the same 19 categories. Over five percent of participants have unmet mental health support needs.

Chart 13: Housing First participants with current multiple support needs

Support Areas	Percentage
Support 1-5 Areas	22.5%
Support 6-10 Areas	39.6%
Support 11-15 Areas	35.8%
Support 16+ Areas	2.1%

Chart 14: Housing First participants receiving support by provider

Support provider	Percentage
Third and Independent Sector	66%
Health and Social Care Partnerships	56%
Alcohol and Drugs Partnership	55%
Mental Health Service	43%
Other	18%
Peer Support	12%

Chart 14 shows a breakdown of the services involved in delivering support to Housing First tenancies.

Chart 15: Housing First participants receiving support from multiple support providers

Support Providers	Percentage
0 Support Providers	9%
1 Support Provider	20%
2 Support Providers	22%
3 Support Providers	22%
4 Support Providers	28%
5 Support Providers	7%
6+ Support Providers	2%

Chart 15 note: Informal support was also provided for 30% of Housing First participants.

Chart 15 provides detail of the number of partners providing Housing First support. In 20% of Housing First tenancies, support was provided solely by one provider, likely where a local authority has undertaken a procurement exercise to commission Housing First support from an external provider. 9% of participants were recorded as having no support provider and 30% receive informal support.

Employment status

Over the last six-month period the number of participants in full-time or part-time employment increased from 27 to 44, while the number engaged in training schemes or higher and further education rose from 10 to 26. Alongside this, 12 participants are now undertaking voluntary work.

Five years of Housing First in Scotland: delivering lasting change

The completion of the Year 5 (2025-26) monitoring period marks a significant milestone for Housing First in Scotland and concludes a five-year reporting period that followed the Housing First Pathfinder.

Housing First has evolved from an innovative approach delivered in a small number of areas into an established programme operating across 26 local authorities. It now plays an important role in supporting some of Scotland’s most marginalised households to access, secure and sustain permanent housing.

The monitoring data demonstrates consistently positive outcomes for participants. Despite many tenants experiencing multiple and complex needs, 84% of the 1,695 tenancies started since 2021 have been sustained for more than 12 months, with 1,350 remaining active at the end of the reporting period. Since national monitoring began, a total of 2,529 Housing First tenancies have commenced, including 834 tenancies established prior to 2021. These outcomes provide strong evidence that Housing First is enabling many people to achieve and maintain long-term housing stability.

The benefits extend beyond individual tenants. Housing First tenancies are now home to 226 children, highlighting the wider contribution that settled housing can make to family wellbeing, stability and access to secure home environments.

Year 5 also saw continued growth in programme delivery. During 2025-26, 351 new Housing First tenancies were created, representing one of the strongest years of delivery since national monitoring began. This reflects the sustained commitment of the Scottish Government, local authorities and housing partners to embedding Housing First approaches within local homelessness responses. The Scottish Government's Housing Emergency Action Plan delivered an additional £4 million of funding to local authorities in 2025-26 to support the expansion of Housing First.  Areas including Renfrewshire, Fife, Aberdeenshire and North Ayrshire have reported particularly strong levels of delivery during the year.

The programme continues to support outcomes beyond housing. Participation in employment, education, training and volunteering has increased during the reporting period, reinforcing the evidence that housing stability can provide a foundation from which people build confidence, strengthen their community connections and pursue wider personal goals.

While challenges remain, data gathered over the five years demonstrates the contribution Housing First is making to Scotland's response to homelessness. The programme has shown that people with histories of homelessness and rough sleeping, and with multiple support needs, can successfully access and sustain permanent housing when provided with a stable home alongside flexible, person-centred support. The findings reinforce the importance of Housing First within Scotland's wider approach to preventing and ending homelessness.