Delegates at representative body Homes for Scotland’s 12th annual conference heard from chief executive Jane Wood, who called for “an unequivocal display of leadership, innovative thinking and ambition to meet the all-tenure housing needs of the people of Scotland” from the country’s politicians.

With Scotland now in the run up to the 2026 Scottish parliament and 2027 council elections, she reflected on a year which has seen a third of local authorities declare housing emergencies and Holyrood acknowledge the same at a national level.

Ms Wood said: “All the evidence points to the situation deteriorating further: 28% of Scottish households in some form of housing need, housing starts and completions down, 5000 homes stalled as a result of Scottish Government budget cuts, a worrying decline in the activity of SME home builders and a planning process which is still too long, too costly, too complex and too uncertain.

“We welcome, through ongoing conversations and the Programme for Government, the Scottish Government’s recent commitment to systemic changes across the housing landscape, including planning and investment, but clearly urgent action and pace is needed to deliver on this intent.

“Whatever government we see coming to the fore in 2026, home building must be a political priority that is led from the highest level. The time for shifting the deck chairs and tinkering round the edges of the housing emergency is over.”