Key Points

New housebuilding by sector

• In total, 17,268 new homes were built (completed), and 14,955 homes were started in 2025-26 in Scotland. With completions down 10% (-1,914) and starts down 4% (-693) from 2024-25.
• The private sector built 13,494 new homes and started 11,018 new builds in 2025-26. Completions were down 8% (-1,217) and starts down 12% (-1,483) from 2024-25.
• The social sector built 3,774 new homes and started 3,937 new builds in 2025-26. Completions were down 16% (-697) and starts were up 25% (790) from 2024-25.
• Aside from 2020-21 where Covid-19 impacted housebuilding, all-sector completions were the lowest since 2016-17. Starts were the lowest since 2012-13 and are lower than the level of starts (by 23%) seen when Covid-19 impacted housebuilding in 2020-21.
• Private sector completions were the lowest since 2017-18 (aside from 2020-21, where Covid-19 impacted housebuilding) and starts were the lowest since 2012-13. Social sector completions were the lowest since 2016-17 and starts were higher than the previous financial year (2024-25).

Affordable Housing Supply Programme (AHSP)

• In 2025-26, the Scottish Governments AHSP delivered 6,787 approvals, 7,421 starts, and 6,832 completions, covering social rent, affordable rent, and affordable home ownership, including new builds, rehabilitations and off‑the‑shelf purchases.
• Approvals and starts in 2025-26 increased compared with 2024-25: approvals by 42% (2,012) and starts by 37% (1,997). Completions decreased in 2025-26 compared with 2024-25 by 8% (‑611). Whilst increases in approvals and starts compared to 2024-25 were reported, both metrics were below the 2019-20 peak (47% and 38% below). Completions were at the lowest level since 2015-16.
• Progress towards the 110,000 affordable housing target by 2032 (where at least 70% will be for social rent): as of March 2025-26, 35,368 homes had been delivered — 77% social rent (27,297), 14% affordable rent (5,089), and 8% affordable home ownership (2,982).