Housing Statistics 2022 & 2023: Key Trends Summary

Homeowners are primarily responsible for maintaining their own property in a decent state of repair. However, local authorities have statutory powers to maintain and improve the general condition of private sector housing in their area.

Under the Scheme of Assistance, introduced by the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006, local authorities can provide financial (loans or grants) and non-financial help (guidance, advice, or practical help) for private housing which is in disrepair or below the tolerable standard or needs to be adapted because a person is disabled. The local authority will determine and provide information on what assistance is available based on local priorities and budgets.

In 2022-23 6,353 scheme of assistance grants were paid to householders, a 4% increase (or 242 more grants) than 2021-2022.

Total spend related to the Scheme of Assistance was almost £36.7 million, of which £21.7 million was accounted for by assistance grants approved for disabled adaptions (59% spend), £2.9 million on assistance for work under notice (8% spend) as well as £5.4 million on other type of assistance (15% spend). Other spend relates to administrative costs, at £6.7 million (18%). Total spend in 2022-23 has increased (22%) since the previous year.

Most assistance grants were for disabled adaptions, 4,602 grants which is 6% more than the 2021-22 figure of 4,350. The amount spent on disabled adaption grants has increased by 23% compared with the previous year, from £17.6 million to £21.7 million.

Non-financial assistance (including information and advice as well as practical assistance) was 213,729 in 2022-23.

Further detailed figures are available in the Scheme of Assistance Excel web tables.