Glasgow City Council has approved a £674 million investment plan to deliver more than 6,500 affordable homes over five years, with the potential to almost double that number if additional funding becomes available.
The council’s Strategic Housing Investment Programme (SHIP) for 2027/28 to 2031/32 sets out proposals to tackle the city’s housing emergency through new developments and the acquisition of existing properties.
Council housing officials have identified 59 sites across Glasgow with the potential to accommodate 12,173 new homes during the five-year period.
However, delivering the full programme would depend on additional funding being made available by the Scottish Government.
Under the approved strategy, the council proposes investing £674 million through the Affordable Housing Supply Programme, with 74% of the new homes intended for social rent, 24% for mid-market rent and 2% for shared equity or private sector rent.
The programme also includes plans to help housing associations acquire 430 existing properties for social rent, including homes that could accommodate households experiencing homelessness.
Councillor Ruairi Kelly, Glasgow’s Depute Leader and Convener for Housing, Development and Land Use, said: “Glasgow City Council is doing everything within its power to make a secure home tenancy a reality for as many Glaswegians as we can: I hope the SHIP today demonstrates that.
“These are ambitious plans build on strong foundations: Glasgow has built far more affordable homes than comparator cities like Manchester or Birmingham over the last five years, and I am determined to raise the bar even further.”
The investment programme follows Glasgow’s declaration of a housing emergency in November 2023, amid growing pressures on affordable housing and temporary accommodation.
The council says increasing the supply of larger family homes is a priority, with a target of delivering 40 new properties with four or more bedrooms each year.
There will also be a focus on increasing the number of three-bedroom homes and providing accommodation suitable for older residents and people with disabilities or complex health needs.
At least 10% of new homes in developments of 20 properties or more will be required to be readily adaptable for wheelchair users.
The strategy takes account of projections that Glasgow’s population aged 65 and over will increase by 18.1% by 2036.
The council will also explore opportunities to convert vacant and underused floors in former commercial buildings into housing.
These projects could contribute towards Glasgow’s ambition to increase the city centre population to 40,000 by 2035.
The latest programme follows a period in which the council says Glasgow delivered more social and affordable homes than Manchester and Liverpool combined.
Councillor Kelly said the city was ready to accelerate construction if more funding became available.
He added: “Working in partnership with local housing associations, housebuilders and the wider housing sector we want to be clear to Government that Glasgow gets things built: and if they are able to increase our housing budget, we can build and acquire even more.
“This is the sort of investment that will not only provide these much-needed homes during a housing emergency but also boost the city’s economy through supporting construction jobs and the wider supply chain.”