Key points: social housing managed by local authorities as of March 2026

Local authority housing stock

• Local authorities managed around 329,788 homes as of March 2026, accounting for 52% of Scotland's social housing stock.
• The number of vacant local authority homes increased by 4% to 10,253 as of the end of March 2026, slightly increasing the overall vacancy rate from 3% in 2025 to 3.1% in 2026. This includes stock that will be demolished or cannot be currently let as it needs modernisation.
• Almost half (49%) of vacant homes were normal letting stock. These are typically homes that become empty between tenancies and are being prepared for new occupants; 69% of these homes were vacant for less than 6 months.  Other vacant properties included:
  •  23% undergoing modernisation
  •  16% awaiting demolition
  •  7% temporary accommodation for homeless households
  •  4% located in low-demand areas

Local authority housing allocations and demand

• Local authorities made 22,843 permanent lettings during 2025-26, down 14% on the previous year. Half (51%) of these homes were allocated to homeless households. While 25% went to applicants on waiting lists and 22% to existing tenants transferring homes.
• Comparing 2025-26 figures with the previous year, out of 26 local authorities who own housing stock, nine had waiting lists that went up in numbers, fourteen had waiting lists that decreased in number, and three had waiting lists that stayed roughly the same. This data does not capture everyone who might be on a waiting list for social housing, as it does not include people who are only on a waiting list for homes owned by housing associations.

Local authority housing evictions

• Local authorities issued 16,104 notices to begin eviction proceedings in 2025-26, a similar level to the previous year and 34% lower than before the COVID-19 pandemic.
• In 2025-26, there were 646 completed evictions or tenant abandonments, of which 94% were linked to rent arrears. This is 4% lower than 2024-25 and 44% lower than before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Supported housing owned by local authorities

• Local authorities have 19,963 supported homes for older people and 29,413 for people with physical disabilities. Provision has increased by 18% over the last decade.