There are nearly 28,000 homes sitting empty across Scotland, as reported by the Scottish Liberal Democrats after obtaining data from all 32 councils. These homes have been vacant for more than six months, with cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow having thousands of empty properties each.
The issue of vacant homes comes to light as more than 10,000 children in Scotland are living in temporary accommodation. The housing crisis in Scotland seems to be worsening, with a growing number of people experiencing homelessness and relying on temporary housing solutions.
Lib Dem housing spokesman Paul McGarry pointed out that the SNP government has failed to address the housing crisis effectively. Despite promises to build more affordable homes for social rent, there are tens of thousands of properties sitting empty while people struggle to find stable housing.
The Scottish Liberal Democrats are advocating for the utilization of existing vacant homes, along with the construction of new affordable housing options. They are also pushing for a return to social rent as a sustainable long-term solution to the housing crisis in Scotland.
In a positive development, the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership, funded by the government, has successfully brought back nearly 11,000 homes into use over the past 15 years. This initiative shows that there is potential to address the issue of vacant properties and provide housing for those in need.
As the Scottish Government faces calls for action on the housing crisis, it remains to be seen how they will respond to the issue of empty homes and the growing demand for affordable housing in Scotland. The need for a comprehensive and sustainable solution to the housing crisis is evident, and it is essential for all stakeholders to work together to ensure that everyone has access to safe and stable housing.