CIH reaction to the draft Scottish Budget 2026/27

Today the Scottish Government announced their draft budget for 2026/27. Here CIH Scotland national director, Gillian McLees provides her initial response to the budget.

“Today’s budget from the Scottish Government provided a much-needed increase for the Affordable Housing Supply Programme. The increase to £925.87 million, up from £807.75 million in 2025/26, provides a commitment to building capacity within the sector and continuing to deliver homes that will help to tackle homelessness, reduce poverty and create communities where people can thrive.

“However, it’s becoming increasingly clear that the Scottish Government is not on track to meet its own target of delivering 110,000 social and affordable homes by 2032. If this is to be realised, significant increases in future budgets will be required.

“CIH research, commissioned jointly with Shelter Scotland and SFHA, identifies the need to deliver 15,693 social and affordable homes each year supported by £1.64 billion per year through the Affordable Housing Supply Programme. Today’s budget, although increased, does not meet this and shows there is still some way to go to provide the social and affordable homes Scotland needs.  

“While this is the case the continued financial commitment to the Ending Homelessness Together fund including Rapid Rehousing Transitions Funds is vital in tackling the ongoing housing emergency. We urge the Scottish Government to continue investing in homelessness services while working towards developing the detail on the new homelessness prevention duty.”

The CIH Scotland team are looking at the budget in detail, and will be publishing a What You Need to Know member briefing shortly. 

Scotland’s Housing Festival in March will explore these topics and more, providing a great pre-election focus. Your ticket is part of your CIH Membership. Make sure you take advantage of this fantastic member benefit and book your place today. 

You can read the Scottish Government announcement and find the budget in full on the Scottish Government website here.