By Jamie Lafferty

Glasgow is undergoing a period of unprecedented construction, with new housing developments, student accommodation and large-scale regeneration projects appearing across the city. The changes are highly visible, with building sites now becoming a common feature of the city.

Even with this development, many houses in Glasgow are still unoccupied. Several long-term vacant flats, abandoned tenement properties, and unused upper floors of commercial buildings exist in many neighbourhoods. Legal or ownership disputes block the use of some of these properties. Others require refurbishment or maintenance before being suitable for tenants. According to city officials, hundreds of homes remain unoccupied, contributing to a discrepancy between supply and demand in housing. Vacant housing is a measurable issue for city planners. Reports show that while some new developments are completed quickly, a proportion of existing properties remain empty for extended periods. Councils track these properties to determine whether refurbishment, repurposing or demolition is appropriate. In all, Glasgow is balancing rapid construction with a stock of long-term vacant properties.

Housing developments are on the increase across various districts; both private and social housing are rising. Hundreds of homes, however, remain unoccupied, underlining the continuing challenges in utilizing the stock that already exists. City authorities are also continuing to implement strategies to bring empty properties back into use alongside managing the new construction projects across the city.

Construction in Glasgow (Image: Unsplash)

The need for affordable housing in the city is well-documented. Glasgow City Council has agreed a five-year plan for the delivery of around 6,400 affordable homes across the city. This programme will include social-rent properties, mixed-tenure developments, and refurbished units in areas undergoing regeneration. One example is the French Street development in Dalmarnock, which will provide 173 new homes, 119 of which are social-rent and 54 will be private. Meanwhile, private construction continues unabated: several sites in the city centre, West End, and East End, along with other districts, are being developed into residential complexes, student accommodations, and commercial units. Developers indicate these projects meet market demand for housing and contribute to investment in the city.

Statistics from the Scottish Housing Regulator show that the current stock in Glasgow includes newly built units, while others have been long-term vacant. The vacancy rate is routinely monitored in the city as part of its overall housing planning and regeneration. Efforts to bring these empty homes back into use involve refurbishing them or repurposing the buildings for affordable housing via local councils and housing associations. Many construction projects in Glasgow are based on the conversion of older buildings.

Old warehouses, former office buildings, and industrial sites are being transformed into residential or mixed-use properties. These are all part of city-driven regeneration plans, which aim to rejuvenate underused areas.

The Scottish Government and local authorities have also implemented various programmes to respond to the gap in housing supply. Funds are provided for social housing, affordable housing, and regeneration projects. Complementary policies promote bringing empty homes back into housing stock, but not all vacant homes can be brought into habitation immediately because of structural or legal complications.

So, while Glasgow is balancing rapid construction with a stock of long-term vacant properties, housing developments are increasing across multiple districts, including both private and social housing. However, hundreds of homes remain unoccupied, highlighting ongoing challenges in utilising the existing housing stock.

Empty Homes and Construction in Glasgow