Housing Emergency Action Plan: biannual update, August 2026

The Housing Emergency Action Plan (HEAP) Biannual Update – August 2026 is a policy document produced by the City of Edinburgh Council. It is authored by senior council officials Derek McGowan, Jill Thomson, Martin Macaulay, Andrew McCloskey and Sarah Rankin, who hold key roles in housing, homelessness services and development. The plan reflects the council’s ongoing response to the housing emergency declared in November 2023 and incorporates evidence and stakeholder input gathered through workshops, online sessions and in‑person meetings across 2025‑2026.

The update outlines a £1.6 billion investment earmarked for housing and homelessness services over the coming years. This funding aims to increase settled accommodation, reduce homeless households, and improve the suitability of temporary housing. The budget supports the construction of affordable homes, modern building methods for energy efficiency, and the acquisition of properties to prevent voids and enhance sustainability.

Public involvement included an online session with 18 external partners, four in‑person sessions attended by 71 participants, and a series of 14 workshops during the original HEAP development. Stakeholders ranged from council members and third‑sector organisations to tenant representatives and community planning partners, ensuring a broad perspective on housing needs.

At 31 March 2026 the Edindex housing register recorded 30 694 applicants, with priority groups distributed as follows: Gold (1.45 %), Silver‑Homeless (28.71 %), Demo & Officer Panel (0.97 %), Overcrowding (4.16 %), Under‑occupation (0.57 %) and Waiting‑time (64.14 %). There were 3 974 households assessed as homeless in 2025/26. Support needs among homeless households included mental health (27.7 %), physical disability (9.8 %), learning disability (4.3 %), medical conditions (11.5 %), substance dependency (6.7 %) and housing management skills (10.6 %). Ethnic breakdown showed a predominance of White‑Scottish (16 307) applicants, with representation from Asian, Black, Mixed and other groups.

The plan highlights positive environmental outcomes from modern, energy‑efficient building techniques, reuse of existing properties and “rightsising” of homes to match household needs. While large‑scale developments will generate emissions, the adoption of low‑carbon construction methods is expected to mitigate climate impact. The council’s procurement policy requires contractors to comply with equality, human rights and sustainability standards, supporting a just transition for vulnerable groups.

Increasing settled accommodation is projected to boost rental income for the Housing Revenue Account and reduce reliance on costly temporary housing, benefiting the General Fund. The £1.6 billion investment is also expected to stimulate the local economy. Potential risks include higher expenditure for suitable accommodation and challenges for households in securing employment during the emergency, which the council aims to address through employability services and the Edinburgh Guarantee.

Specific actions include bi‑annual reviews of the IIA led by Jill Thomson (Housing and Homelessness Strategy Manager) and Derek McGowan (Service Director). A programme tracker monitors progress across protected characteristic groups, with reports submitted to the Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Committee. Contractors engaged under council procurement guidelines must meet equality, human rights and sustainability criteria.

The HEAP communications plan incorporates accessible formats for children, young people, and individuals with sensory, speech, literacy, numeracy or language barriers. Information is delivered via the dedicated HEAP website, clear digital communications, and provision of devices for homeless users lacking internet access, ensuring inclusive outreach across pan‑European audiences interested in sustainable housing.