Charities and housing bodies have joined forces.
Three housing organisations have called for a meeting with Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government, Shona Robison, ahead of the Scottish Budget.
Following landmark research on affordable housing need, Shelter Scotland, Chartered Institute of Housing Scotland (CIH) and the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA), warn that if Scotland fails to build at least 15,693 affordable homes per year over the next Parliament, homelessness will continue to rise.
The annual cost for delivery on the scale needed would be at least £1.64billion – starting in 2026-2027.
The organisations recognise that while the investment is substantial, building costs will not fall, and the cost of inaction, socially and financially, is far greater.
Investment in social housing also supports wider government targets, including reducing child poverty, tackling climate change, growing the economy, and improving public services.
Shelter Scotland Director, Alison Watson said: "We face a simple choice: invest in the homes we need now or pay the price for generations.
“Scotland needs these new homes for social rent to prevent more families being pushed into poverty, to get the 10,180 children out of temporary accommodation and into permanent homes, to stop young people being locked out of secure housing and to protect communities from a broken and biased housing system.
“We hope the Finance Secretary will listen to these calls and hope she finds the time to meet us.
“We need our politicians to step up and invest in a future where everyone in Scotland has their right to a safe, affordable home upheld. It is time to build Scotland, build hope and build more social homes.”
SFHA CEO, Richard Meade, added: “Delivering the social homes that we desperately need is crucial for solving every major challenge Scotland is facing, from tackling poverty and homelessness, to improving health outcomes and strengthening the economy.
“The evidence is clear about the scale of investment that requires, but it’s not just about building homes – it’s about building the future Scotland that we want to see: a fairer, wealthier and healthier one.”
