One of those residents, Elle Glenny of Glasgow, is facing a dire housing crisis. As a result, her own rent has increased from £590 to £700 per month. The waiting list for social housing in Scotland currently stands at over 99,000 households. Glenny has been on the waiting list for nearly three years at this point. She is a qualified social housing provider, having scored 100 of the 120 priority points necessary to achieve that status. Yet, this is what she’s been advised to do, endure possible homelessness before getting assistance to find a stable place to live.
The Scottish government did announce a national housing emergency last May and, since then, the situation has deteriorated even further. As of 2024, the population of active homeless live cases hit an all-time high, impacting over 31,000 households. What’s more, more than 16,000 of these households are temporarily housed in emergency accommodation, made up of more than 10,000 children.
Glenny’s experience shines a light on a larger trend happening across Scotland’s rental market. The mean rental price has jumped up to £999 per month, an increase of £326 per month since July 2015 (£673). Glasgow has seen the biggest rent hikes in the UK over the last four years. An equally alarming increase of 44.4% has jacked up the average rent in this burgeoning metropolis.
I pay on average 50% of my earnings every month JUST TO EXIST,” Glenny explained. In his comments, he stressed the burden that rapidly increasing rents have put on people. She mentioned how proud she was that she kept her job and kept her housing stable. I’m just so fucking proud of me for getting here,” she said. In spite of her industry and contentment, she remains disappointed by the housing system.
That gets me more points in social housing lottery,” Glenny said. Unfortunately, it’s still not enough to protect me from having to experience the homelessness system. The waiting lists have only become more numerous and more hopeless as the Scottish government has failed to provide enough homes.
The government set an ambitious target to build 110,000 affordable homes by 2032, aiming to complete 10,000 homes each year. According to the actual data, that goal has only been achieved once in the last 10 years. Since 2007, despite devolutionary austerity politics, the SNP-led Scottish government has been doing just that—actively building 139,000 affordable homes. Specifically, this year, they are set to invest £768 million on affordable housing programmes.
Alison Wilson from Shelter Scotland emphasized the urgent need for action: “We face a simple choice – invest in the homes we need now, or pay the price for generations.” This crisis further highlights the need for strong, innovative investments and a direct partnership between local governments and state and federal levels.
The right to buy was repealed in Scotland in 2016 in order to save social housing stock. Glenny’s experience reminds us how badly we don’t have time to wait. The increasing tide of homeless encampments in our cities validates this faith even more. Shelter Scotland has been closely working with local authorities with the aim of bringing more homes to acquire and bringing empty properties back into use.
“The effect of the rent increase has been disastrous,” Glenny said. She’s been forced to spend less on necessities, which has made her life more miserable and untenable. I’ve been a good tenant, always paying my rent on time. So far as I was concerned, I had been an exemplary tenant.
The situation is still very dire. Tenants like families home Glenny’s are feeling the squeeze between finding no choice but increasing rental prices and a dearth of affordable housing. The Scottish government’s commitment to addressing these issues will be tested in the coming years as they strive to balance immediate needs with long-term solutions.
