Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) guidance note MHDGN 2026/01

The role of a SHIP

A SHIP is an important document for local authorities to set out their strategic housing investment priorities for housing over a 5 year period, specifically affordable housing and Gypsy/Traveller accommodation, with these strategic investment priorities being aligned with the priorities and outcomes set out in a LHS. It is expected that councils formally approve and publish their SHIP.

Specifically, the SHIP is the key document for identifying:

• Proposed strategic affordable housing projects which require Scottish Government Affordable Housing Supply Programme funding support. Local authorities are encouraged to read the Affordable Housing Supply Programme: process and procedures guidance for local authorities and registered social landlords (and any subsequent updates to this) as this includes information on the types of projects that can be delivered by these organisations with grant support through the Affordable Housing Supply Programme.
• Gypsy/Traveller accommodation projects. Since April 2026, funding for publicly provided Gypsy/Traveller accommodation is available alongside housing under the Affordable Housing Supply Programme (AHSP). Guidance has been issued to allow social landlords to progress their projects and local authorities can submit Gypsy/Traveller project proposals through their Scottish Housing Investment Plans.
• Proposed affordable housing projects which are to be provided without Scottish Government Affordable Housing Supply Programme funding support (for example, funded directly by the local authority).

The SHIP is therefore an operational rather than policy document and:

• Reflects and aligns with the housing policies and outcomes set out in each local authority’s LHS and LHS Outcome Action Plan;
• Reinforces the role of the local authority as the strategic housing authority;
• Informs Scottish Government investment decisions; and
• Informs the preparation of a Strategic Local Programme Agreement that sets out the planned programme across the local authority and, where required, informs the preparation of Programme Agreements to individual providers setting out their planned programme.

All local authorities are required to prepare an annual SHIP in collaboration with local housing delivery partners.