Almost 8,826 households are waiting for housing or transfers across the Highlands as demand for social homes continues to outstrip supply in many communities.
A new annual review of the Highland Housing Register shows 1,592 households secured homes during 2025 to 26, but thousands more remain on the register.
Pressure is particularly strong in Inverness, which is the first choice for 42 per cent of applicants despite accounting for only 29 per cent of available homes.
Smaller properties are also in considerable demand, with single people making up half of everyone currently applying through the register.
The Highland Housing Register provides a single application process for social landlords across the region and prioritises applicants according to housing need.
More than half of the homes allocated during 2025 to 26 went to households experiencing homelessness, with 891 properties, or 56 per cent of all lets, going to people in that position.
That proportion increased by 4 per cent compared with the previous year.
Around one in five households receiving homes had health related housing needs, while almost one in five had previously been living in overcrowded accommodation.
Housing and Property Committee Chair Cllr Glynis Campbell Sinclair said:
“The demand for social housing across Highland remains significant and continues to outstrip the number of homes available in many areas.
“Despite these challenges, the Highland Housing Register continues to ensure that available homes are allocated to those in greatest need, including people experiencing homelessness, households with health needs and those living in unsuitable accommodation.
“It is vital that the Council continues our work with housing partners, developers and landowners to increase the supply of affordable homes, bring empty properties back into use and continue to explore various ways to grow housing stock across Highland, alongside our work to support people to sustain existing tenancies.”
The overall number of social rented homes increased during the year, but fewer existing properties became available for new tenants because more people successfully maintained their tenancies and remained in their homes.
The figures also show 13 households moved into their first independent living tenancy, including people with complex health and support needs.
Another 14 care experienced young people secured homes through the Highland Protocol, while 23 serving and former members of the Armed Forces were housed through the register.
The review suggests the pressure extends beyond traditional social housing, with many applicants saying they would consider alternatives if suitable properties were available.
Those alternatives include private rented homes, mid market rent and low cost home ownership.
Highland Council and its housing partners are working through the Highland Housing Challenge, Local Housing Strategy and Strategic Housing Investment Programme to increase affordable housing supply.
The figures nevertheless expose the scale of the gap between demand and availability, particularly around Inverness, with almost 8,826 households on the register and fewer than 1,600 finding a home through it during the last year.
