SNP leadership hopeful Humza Yousaf’s plans to boost rural housing fall far short of addressing the real problems in these areas, according to Scottish property firm DJ Alexander.

Yousaf has pledged to commit £25m from the affordable housing budget to buy empty properties to house NHS staff and police officers in the Highlands, Islands and north-east if he replaces the outgoing Nicola Sturgeon as first minister. He also signalled his intension to increase council tax rates on second homes across the Highlands islands and north-east to increase the number of homes being used all year round. His claim is that house prices are being driven up in rural Scotland by people who own multiple properties.

David Alexander, chief executive officer of DJ Alexander Scotland, commented: “While the intention to provide homes for key workers in rural areas is laudable, this proposal will fall far short of what is required.

Alexander also questioned whether the promise would be fulfilled. “The Scottish government’s most recent budget in December 2022 showed £752m in funding for affordable housing for 2023-24, which is £37m less than its planned spend and almost 10% lower than the previous years’ allocation,” he said.

“They also faced criticism in January this year on their failure to deliver on a pledge to spend £30m tackling the rural housing crisis. In answer to a recent Freedom Of Information (FOI) question, it was revealed that the Scottish government had spent less than £18m on rural housing since 2016-17.”

Alexander said the real problem is that for decades, there have been too few new houses being built to meet demand. “While the Scottish government’s is determined to blame second homeowners and holiday lets and drive them out of the market, they forget that the hospitality and tourism sectors require these places for people to stay if the local economy is to thrive.”

He concluded: “Mr Yousaf may believe that this is a workable solution but it is clear that what is required is a long-term plan to provide affordable housing for remote and rural areas which ensures the local workforce have suitable homes whilst also delivering policies which maintain and develop the tourism sector.”