Highland Housing: Homelessness Reaches Record Level Despite Good Council Performance

4th November 2026

The number of people presenting as homeless in the Highlands has reached its highest level in three years, highlighting the growing pressure on housing services despite some encouraging performance figures from Highland Council.

A report covering the six months from April to September 2026 is being considered by the Council's Housing and Property Committee on 4 November.

The most concerning figures relate to homelessness. During the second quarter, 406 households presented as homeless, compared with 399 in the same period last year and 356 two years ago.

The report describes the increase as demand-led, with relationship breakdowns, landlords asking tenants to leave and violence or abuse among the principal reasons.

Relationship breakdown accounted for 96 cases during the six-month period, while 85 households said they had been asked to leave their accommodation. A further 49 cases involved violence or abuse within the home.

The figures also show that homelessness is affecting people across different age groups, although those aged between 26 and 59 account for the largest number of cases.

The pressure is also reflected in temporary accommodation. By the end of September, 497 homeless households were living in temporary accommodation, up from 475 in the previous quarter.

However, the Council's report also contains some positive results.

Emergency housing repairs are being completed in an average of 4.8 hours, comfortably within the Council's 12-hour target. Non-emergency repairs take an average of 8.6 days, matching the Scottish benchmarking figure despite the additional challenges of serving a geographically large rural area.

The time taken to re-let empty properties is also performing well. The latest quarterly figure is 34.91 days, considerably below the Council's target of 55.6 days.

Rent arrears remain relatively well controlled. They represent 6.02% of rent due, compared with an average of 8.3% across local authorities in Scotland at March 2026.

The Council also points to positive feedback from the Scottish Housing Regulator following engagement visits in 2025 and 2026, particularly regarding its work to prevent homelessness and secure permanent housing outcomes.

Nevertheless, there is a bigger question behind the figures.

In August, councillors were told that 8,826 households were registered for social housing in the Highlands. While the Council is working to improve its housing stock and bring more homes into use, the continuing shortage of affordable accommodation remains a significant obstacle.

This is particularly important in rural communities, where a shortage of suitable housing can make it difficult for employers to recruit staff, for young people to remain locally and for families to establish themselves.

Good performance in repairs, rent collection and property management is important, but it cannot by itself resolve a shortage of homes.

The challenge for Highland Council is therefore twofold: maintaining the standards of its existing housing service while finding ways to increase the supply of homes that people can actually afford to rent or buy.

For those waiting for a home, the distinction between good administrative performance and finding somewhere to live is a very real one.

The meeting on 4 November 2026 starts at 9.30am and can be viewed on the webcast at
https://highland.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/1090535

The full meeting agenda can be found at
https://www.highland.gov.uk/meetings/meeting/5427/housing-and-property-committee

 

Related Businesses

 

Related Articles

Today : Local Authority

Additional school in-service days agreed - Helping teachers prepare for major curriculum changes

Local councils will be able to request up to two extra in-service days this academic year, so that teachers can prepare for the most significant curriculum changes in more than a decade.   The Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT) which brings together the Scottish Government, local authority body COSLA, and teaching unions has agreed up to two additional in-service days, which will form part of multi-year support for implementation of the updated curriculum.  

Today : Local Authority

The Payday Heist: Why Your Payroll System Might Be a Fraudster’s Easiest Target

Imagine a dedicated employee logs into their bank account on payday, only to find it completely empty.  When they contact HR, the records show their salary was successfully processed but sent to an entirely different bank account.  

Today : Local Authority

Paper Targets vs. Human Crises: The Reality of the Highland Housing Strategy

The Highland Council’s newly unveiled Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) 2027–2032 paints a glossy, optimistic picture of the region's future.   It promises a steady pipeline of 700 affordable homes a year, framed alongside a booming £10–£16 billion "Growth Deal" linked to green freeports and renewable energy expansion.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

Highland Council Housing Investment: £84 Million Programme Faces Delays as Building Costs Rise

Highland Council is forecasting expenditure of almost £75 million on its housing capital programme during 2026/27, against an original budget of nearly £84 million, as rising building costs, project delays and the availability of additional government funding influence its investment plans.   A Housing Revenue Account (HRA) capital monitoring report, covering expenditure to 31 August 2026, is being considered by the Housing and Property Committee on 4 November.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

Highland Council's Housing and Property Plans: Progress Being Made, But Costs and Contractor Shortages Remain a Problem

Highland Council is making progress on a range of housing and property projects, but rising construction costs, shortages of contractors and uncertainty over future funding continue to threaten delivery.   A progress report covering the second quarter of 2026/27 is being considered by the Housing and Property Committee on 4 November.  

Yesterday : Local Authority

Almost 2,500 Empty Homes in Highland: Can the Council Turn Empty Properties into Much-Needed Housing?

Highland Council is stepping up its efforts to bring long-term empty properties back into residential use, but early results from its £1 million Empty Homes Challenge Fund suggest that turning the policy into actual homes may prove more difficult than anticipated.   A report going before the Council's Housing and Property Committee on 4 November provides an update on the strategy introduced in November 2025.  

3/11/2026 : Local Authority

 
Highland's Growth Ambitions: Billions in Investment Promised, But Can the Numbers Really Add Up?

Highland Council has set out an ambitious vision for the economic future of the Highlands, with the possibility of attracting between £10 billion and £16 billion of public and private investment over the next 25 years.   On paper, it is an impressive prospect.  

3/11/2026 : Local Authority

Caithness Committee approves six Community Regeneration Fund applications - £237,155

The Caithness Area Committee which met (Monday 2 November 2026) has approved six applications submitted to the Community Regeneration Fund (CRF).   This approval securing significant investment to support local projects that will benefit communities across the north.  

31/10/2026 : Local Authority

Caithness at the Sharp End: Broadband, Buses and Public Services Under Pressure

From the loss of a direct bus link to Inverness to uncertainty over rural broadband, a difficult council budget and the future of community organisations, the past week has provided plenty for Caithness residents to think about.  But there have also been celebrations, local achievements and signs of community spirit.  

31/10/2026 : Local Authority

 
Highland Council Faces a £39.2 Million Budget Gap: Will Council Taxpayers and Services Pay the Price?

Highland Council is facing another difficult financial challenge, with councillors being told that a further £39.2 million in savings must be found over the next three years to balance the authority's finances.   The announcement, made at the full council meeting on 29 October 2026, represents a substantial deterioration in the financial outlook.