The shortage of homes in Scotland has been quite clear for a number of years. Industry leaders put the shortfall to be somewhere in the region of 110,000. Given the recent significant reductions in new home starts and completions, this is not going to be fixed anytime soon.

The shortage of homes in Scotland has been quite clear for a number of years. Industry leaders put the shortfall to be somewhere in the region of 110,000. Given the recent significant reductions in new home starts and completions, this is not going to be fixed anytime soon.

Imagine for a moment how different your life might be without the security of a safe, comfortable home. Next week marks Scottish Housing Day, with the theme "Homes for Life." At Perceptive Communicators, we’re supporting our housebuilding clients around this, shining a spotlight on the incredible impact of homes on the quality of all of our lives and yet also the massive shortage of much needed homes. 

As I approach nearly a year as Chair of the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) Regional Group in Scotland, I've had the opportunity to reflect on the evolving responsibilities and influence of our profession.

As the UK grapples with a housing market that’s increasingly stretched at both ends, one solution that’s often overlooked is the potential of the retirement housing sector. Specifically, age-exclusive developments for the over-55s could play a crucial role in easing pressure on the market by encouraging downsizing, freeing up larger family homes, and ultimately ensuring a more efficient housing lifecycle.

Glasgow-based specialist communications consultancy Perceptive Communicators has been shortlisted as Property Marketing Team of the Year at the Herald Property Awards 2024. 

Ravenscraig's transformation is not just about clearing old remnants of its industrial past. It's about laying the groundwork for a future that offers high-quality housing, excellent transport links, and abundant educational and employment opportunities.

The economic benefits of building new housing are clear and well documented. The home building sector in Scotland supports 45,000 jobs directly and tens of thousands more up and down the supply chain. In 2019 the sector was worth £3.4 billion to the economy.

In an age rapidly being defined by the pressing need for sustainability and environmental responsibility, traditional methods of construction are giving way to more innovative approaches, with modular construction leading the charge towards a greener future.

Last week, Homes for Scotland (HFS) published a report revealing a concerning decline in the small and medium enterprise (SME) home building sector. A day later, the Scottish Government released its quarterly housing statistics. Neither paint a positive picture.

Scotland’s housing system is at a critical juncture. The Scottish Government has acknowledged the nation’s housing emergency and announced its intention to recognise housing as a national outcome. This is a vital first step, but the real challenge is translating this intention into effective action.

There is no denying that the challenges faced across the housebuilding and wider construction industry over the last few years have been particularly acute. A combination of planning and covid delays, inflationary cost increases for material and labour, rising cost of living and high mortgage interest rates all contributed to a negative ripple effect across the sector.

Last week the UK's Real Estate Investment Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) took place in Leeds. With over 12,000 delegates, the conference was a bustling hub of innovation, ideas, and challenges focusing on the vitality and dynamism of the real estate sector.

We’ve recently seen Scotland’s largest cities - Edinburgh and Glasgow - declare housing emergencies. This reflects the harsh reality across the country and there is no doubt more declarations are to follow.

Family-owned Muir Group has appointed Martin Smith as their CEO. Martin joins the Fife-based company from ISG where he was Director of Operations for Major Projects.

This year is the 50th anniversary of Muir Homes building quality homes across Scotland. This landmark comes amidst rising energy prices and an industry bouncing back from the covid pandemic. 

Scotland needs more homes. With a shortfall now approaching 100,000 houses since 2007, this is beyond doubt and we require a robust and ambitious plan to put this right. The Scottish Parliament will shortly vote on such a plan, the fourth iteration of the National Planning Framework (NPF4).

Homes for Scotland’s annual conference takes place tomorrow. While it will be our organisation’s tenth meeting, it will be my first. As the new chief executive, I realise how privileged I am to be representing a sector which has such an important role to play in Scotland’s social wellbeing, economic success and transition to net zero. Only three months into my tenure, I am already inspired by the passion, determination and resilience of those in the sector.

In just 20 years from now, a quarter of the UK population will be aged 65 or over. That’s a sharp rise from where we are now, at around 20%, and it is a figure that will affect how society organises everything, from holidays and healthcare to transport and technology.

Just last month Cruden Homes was amongst the winners at the annual Homes for Scotland Awards. Awards are always welcome, but they mean even more during times of upheaval and uncertainty, so to receive the top accolade of ‘Home Builder of the Year - Large’ along with ‘Development of the Year - Small’ was an aptly timed honour.