THE number of new homes for social rent started in Scotland has plunged to its lowest level since 1997, according to new figures.

Housebuilding in general has fallen in the last year, according to the Scottish government data, which shows a 5 per cent drop in new starts and an 8 per cent fall in completions in the year to September 2025.

Over the same period, the social sector saw completions fall by 15 per cent to 4,122, the lowest tally since 2017.

Meanwhile, starts fell by 10 per cent to 3,031, the least since comparable records began in 1997.

The Scottish government’s affordable supply programme saw starts fall by 21 per cent to 5,424 in the year to April 2025 and completions plummet by 22 per cent to 7,443 over the same period.

Branding the statistics “nothing short of shameful,” Scottish Labour housing spokesman Mark Griffin said: “On the SNP’s watch, 10,000 kids are stuck in temporary accommodation, eyewatering rents are piling pressure on families and the dream of home ownership is being pushed further and further out of reach.

“The SNP are the architects of this housing emergency — they have let housebuilding collapse, raided funding for affordable housing and starved local government of resources.”

Taking solace from a 61 per cent increase in affordable home approvals since last year, Housing Secretary Mairi McAllan said: “There is still much to do and I am determined that we now step up our efforts.

“That’s why my Housing Emergency Action Plan, launched earlier this year, paved the way for a major affordable homes delivery programme, backed by up to £4.9 billion.”

Shelter Scotland’s Alison Watson, however, warned: “In their last programme for government, Scottish ministers promised to deliver 8,000 affordable homes this financial year.

“Today’s statistics show that, at the halfway mark, they have achieved 2,528.

“Against their long-term commitment to deliver 110,000 affordable homes by 2032, including 70 per cent for social rent, they have achieved 31,064.

“If they are to achieve the remaining 79,000 on time, they will need to move more quickly, invest more money and look at other ways of delivering the homes we need.

“With 10,180 children spending Christmas in temporary accommodation, we cannot afford any more delay.”