Edinburgh Social housing list grows by nearly a quarter in less than two years
A freedom of information request has revealed that the social housing waiting list in Edinburgh has grown by more than 22% since March 2024.
A freedom of information request made by Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, has revealed that the social housing waiting list in Edinburgh has grown by more than 22% since March 2024.
There are currently 28,847 households and 55,804 individuals waiting for a property. 15,220 of these are under 16 years of age.
This follows recent discoveries by Mr Briggs that more than 500 homeless people were moved out of Edinburgh in 2024 to make way for visitors and that the capital has overtaken Glasgow to become the Scottish city with the most homeless veterans.
Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, said:
“It is very worrying that the waiting list for social housing has grown so much in such a short time.
“This shows unequivocally that the SNP is failing to tackle the housing crisis.
“As we know, the dramatic cut by this government to the affordable housing budget in 2024 has caused social housing construction to collapse to a ten-year low.
“But this isn’t only about money. The SNP’s regulatory attacks on private landlords, record taxation, and failure to control the causes of homelessness, such drug and alcohol abuse, are also contributing to the problem.
“Nationally, ministers must prioritise housing in next year’s budget and cut the red tape in the property market, while locally I will continue pushing for an Edinburgh housing fund to put an end to this unacceptable situation.”