Humza Yousaf is to succeed Nicola Sturgeon as SNP leader and Scotland’s first minister after a vote of party members.

The 37-year-old, currently Scotland’s health secretary, is set to be confirmed as leader of the devolved government later today.

Although Nicola Sturgeon did not explicitly back any of the candidates in the leadership contest, Yousaf is widely assumed to be her preferred successor, making him the ‘continuity’ candidate, although that is not necessarily a good thing when it comes to housing, according to one well-established estate agent north of the border.

David Alexander, the chief executive officer of DJ Alexander Scotland, part of the Lomond Group, shared his concerns: “The election of Humza Yousaf as the new SNP leader, and consequently the new first minister of Scotland, is concerning for the housing sector given that he stood as the continuity candidate.”

“If he does persist with the existing housing policy of Nicola Sturgeon then I foresee some very difficult times for Scotland’s tenants. The low numbers of social housing, the reluctance to support housebuilding, and the negative attitude toward the private rented sector have all resulted in fewer homes for Scots, rising rents, increased evictions for tenants, and a housing waiting list that numbers in the hundreds of thousands.

“I would welcome a positive approach from Mr Yousaf if he is not to replicate the mistakes of the previous administration. The concern is that he will continue to view housing as a political rather than a social issue and seek to demonise parts of the housing sector.”

Alexander believes that a long-term housing strategy is needed, with planning over a ten or even 20-year period, ensuring that planning regulations, land development, and financial incentives are developed to encourage the right homes in the right areas both to reflect the current and future needs of Scottish society.

He continued: “We need a long-term, fundamental rethink on the delivery of housing for homeowners, for tenants in the public and private sector, and in the way that new housing is delivered. Housing must be a major part of the new administrations’ plans. New social and private building developments with large scale infrastructure investment would produce jobs, create wealth, and provide homes for people who want to work and live in Scotland.”