Edinburgh council to end housing allocation suspension after 16 months
.jpg?width=96&crop=1:1,smart)
City of Edinburgh Council to end housing allocation suspensionafter 16 months
Edinburgh council is set to end its suspension of housing allocation, 16 months after the emergency measure was put in place.
The Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work committee heard on Tuesday how the number of void Council homes had been reduced alongside an increase in the supply of suitable temporary accommodation. It follows the commitment from City of Edinburgh Council to invest £1.6bn in affordable housing.
The suspension was put into place in April 2025 and extended in August 2025 and again in February 2026. The council’s regular process for letting houses could be set to resume from October.
Councillor Tim Pogson, Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, said he was “encouraged by the progress made” as the council sought to tackle the Capital’s housing emergency.
He continued: “Everyone has the right to a safe and suitable place to call home. The pause on housing allocations has helped us prioritise those facing homelessness, while we work to increase the supply of temporary accommodation across the city.
“Bringing empty homes back into use is another important part of increasing the supply of housing. This funding will help owners meet the costs of essential works while, in return, making these homes available for private sector leasing for a three or five years.
“If you or a friend or relative own an empty home, I would urge you to find out more about the support available.
“There is still much to be done, but I’m encouraged by the progress being made on the Housing Emergency Action Plan, which demonstrates tangible improvements being made.”
The council remains on track to reduce unsuitable temporary accommodation to 268 bed spaces by 31 March 2027. A further 1,641 suitable homes are set to be provided by March 2027 through the Housing and Homelessness Investment Programme.
Since the suspension was introduced, 1,224 homeless households have been supported through temporary accommodation or direct lets, with around 30% securing a settled home through a direct let.
The cessation of the suspension of housing allocation in Edinburgh comes 16 months after councillors looked to open up council housing units for homeless people and families in need of temporary accommodation.
During the suspension, those most at risk of homelessness could still be allocated housing.
Figures revealed earlier this year showed the total number of active applications on City of Edinburgh Council's housing waiting list as of the most recent date for which data is held had reached 31,589.
However, the council has hit back at claims that it had prioritised applications from asylum seekers and refugees since the suspension of allocation was announced in April 2025.
A City of Edinburgh council spokesman said: “We continue to monitor the different reasons households require temporary accommodation; it is important to recognise that there is not always an opportunity for the council to prevent instances of homelessness.
“For example, households who have received a positive asylum decision, or who have a local connection elsewhere in Scotland, are categorised as non-preventable because there is no opportunity for the Council to intervene before they require our support.
“Anyone who presents as homeless and is eligible, regardless of their background, will be assessed for placement in temporary accommodation in line with local and national guidance and legislation.”