The Scottish Greens have renewed their call for urgent action on Scotland’s worsening housing crisis, urging the Scottish Government to give councils stronger powers to bring empty homes back into use.
With over 31,000 long-term empty homes across the country, the Greens say it is time for bold measures that would return these properties to the communities that need them.
The proposals come in the form of an amendment to the Housing Bill currently making its way through Holyrood.
The figures are stark.
Of the 43,538 properties lying vacant for more than six months, more than 70 percent are classed as long-term empty.
That’s tens of thousands of houses that could be homes, sitting dormant as housing demand intensifies in every corner of Scotland.
Raising the issue in the Scottish Parliament, Green MSP Maggie Chapman challenged Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville to back the plan.
In response, the Cabinet Secretary said she would consider the proposal seriously in light of the scale of the crisis.
Chapman said the time for soft commitments had passed.
“We’ve acknowledged the housing emergency,” she said.
“Now we must act like it.”
She pointed to the empty homes and derelict plots that scar communities and called for reforms that could turn them into safe, affordable housing.
The proposals build on previous reforms introduced by the Greens, including expanding the use of Compulsory Purchase Orders.
But the new amendments go further, allowing greater flexibility in deciding who ends up living in or owning these homes, with an emphasis on fairness and sustainability.
The measures are backed by key recommendations from the Scottish Land Commission and supported by a coalition of homelessness and housing justice charities.
They say reclaiming these homes would be a powerful step toward reducing inequality and helping regenerate communities across Scotland.
According to Chapman, this is about breaking the grip of wealthy speculators who hoard properties and leave them to rot.
“We need to shift power away from the negligent super-rich and return it to people who need a place to live,” she said.
“This is not the time for half-measures.”
“If the SNP fail to support stronger powers, the chance to make lasting change could be lost.”
As the housing emergency continues to deepen, the Greens believe unlocking the potential of Scotland’s empty homes could offer real hope to those still searching for somewhere to call home.
