The Scottish Government’s housing emergency action plan will help tackle the housing emergency, particularly for young people and first-time buyers.
I welcome the measures, including the expansion of the open market shared equity scheme.
Guidance shows that the scheme is available to those on lower incomes based on affordability and that the Scottish Government can take up to a 40 per cent stake in the property purchase.
However, the scheme is not open to younger people outwith certain priority groups, and applicants must be social rented tenants. Given that younger people, including families, often stay with friends and relatives and do not have any form of tenancy, I would be keen to see if the Scottish Government would consider reviewing the criteria in order to enable that group to apply.
I asked this to the Cabinet Secretary for Housing (Mairi McAllan), who said:
“The plan delivers on three principal objectives: ending cases of children living in unsuitable accommodation; supporting the housing needs of vulnerable communities; and building our future by investing up to £4.9 billion in multiyear funding. As well as investing significantly in a boosted affordable house building programme to support young people and first-time buyers in particular, we are expanding the scope of the open market shared equity scheme, increasing the targeted acquisition fund from £40 million to £88 million, working with councils to flip temporary accommodation and providing financial support for women to leave an abusive partner. Furthermore, subject to the Parliament’s approval, we will introduce a long-term system of rent controls via the Housing (Scotland) Bill.
“I am pleased to say that, from 2 September 2025, the OMSE scheme is available to all qualifying first-time buyers, as well as to priority access groups. That policy change has been implemented to ensure that the maximum number of people are able to access the scheme, and it will help many who would not otherwise have been able to secure a home. I will consider the specific point that Mr Doris has raised and see whether anything can be done in that regard.”
You can read the report, Tackling Scotland Housing Emergency online.