![\"Construction,](\"https:\/\/dailybusinessgroup.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Construction-housebuilding.png\")
The Scottish Government is setting up\u00a0a national housing\u00a0agency to speed up delivery of new homes.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
The executive agency will be called More Homes Scotland and will perform a role similar to Homes England which aims to accelerate housebuilding.<\/p>\n
James White, professor of planning and urban design at the University of Glasgow, yesterday told a House of Commons committee that Scotland had suffered from the absence of a housing agency.<\/p>\n
First Minister John Swinney today announced that More Homes Scotland will begin operating from 2027-28 and be fully functional in 2028-29, subject to the outcome of the Scottish Parliament election.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It will focus on\u00a0a number of\u00a0key areas \u2013 large-scale affordable housing projects;\u00a0rural and island housing;\u00a0acquiring,\u00a0preparing\u00a0and releasing land;\u00a0and enabling infrastructure work to unlock stalled sites.<\/p>\n
It will work alongside the Scottish National Investment Bank to make best use of private finance.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n A process to co-design the functions and operating model of the new agency will be led by the Cabinet Secretary for Housing in partnership with the bank and local authorities, with an update expected to be provided to the Scottish Parliament in March.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n The First Minister made the announcement on a visit to a housing development in\u00a0Wallyford, East Lothian alongside Housing Secretary\u00a0M\u00e0iri\u00a0McAllan. The\u00a090-home\u00a0site, developed by Wheatley Homes,\u00a0includes mid-market\u00a0and\u00a0social rented\u00a0homes.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Mr Swinney said:\u00a0\u201cSince 2007, the Scottish Government has\u00a0supported the\u00a0delivery\u00a0of 141,000\u00a0affordable homes in Scotland, including 101,000 for social rent \u2013 proportionately far more than other parts of the UK. We have helped thousands of families to have a warm,\u00a0safe\u00a0and affordable place to call home.<\/p>\n \u201cHowever, Scotland is facing a housing emergency. We recognise the difficulty that many?Scots \u2013 in?particular?young Scots?-?have finding a home they can afford to rent or\u00a0buy.?\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe have firm foundations and have recently stepped up our efforts. The 2026-27 draft Scottish Budget includes the single largest funding allocation to affordable housing since records began in 1989. <\/p>\n \u201cWe have committed to invest up to \u00a34.9 billion over the next four years, backed by a record \u00a34.1 billion of public investment, helping to deliver 36,000 affordable homes and providing a place to live for around 24,000 children. This is providing record funding and more multi-year certainty than ever before.<\/p>\n \u201cThis, along with other policy measures, has given confidence to the investment community. However, we must have a public sector delivery model that can rise to our enhanced ambitions.<\/p>\n \u201cA new national agency will mean less duplication, greater expertise, increased efficiencies, and making our substantial investment go further. It will also provide enhanced support to our local authority partners and we will work in partnership with the Scottish National Investment Bank to attract more commercial investment.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is a new body that will offer simplicity, scale and speed \u2013 boosting delivery, and maximising savings, as part of our commitment to a decade of public sector modernisation and reform.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cMore Homes Scotland will meet the needs of this time. It will deliver \u2013 for a new generation of Scots \u2013 new homes more quickly,\u00a0more affordably,\u00a0in more liveable, climate friendly communities.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n David Ritchie, chief executive of the Scottish National Investment Bank, said: \u201cThe Bank has invested more than \u00a3130 million in housing to date, with a robust pipeline of more potential housing investments. We welcome More Homes Scotland being established to bring momentum in finding housing solutions.<\/p>\n \u201cAs a mission-led investor, the Bank makes commercial investments that drive long-term societal and economic growth for Scotland. Our \u2018Place\u2019 mission is focused on improving communities, and a good home is a key tenet of that.<\/p>\n \u201cWorking with private investors and homebuilders we have developed innovative approaches to unlock finance,\u00a0getting much-needed homes built across Scotland.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n \t <\/div>\n![\"John](\"https:\/\/dailybusinessgroup.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/John-Swinney-Prosper-forum.png\")