The strategy is prepared as a standalone document, in line with duties under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 and subsequent statutory guidance and is the local authority’s sole strategic document for housing. The strategy provides a comprehensive overview of all key housing issues and requirements for South Lanarkshire.

Through the Scottish Social Housing Charter (Outcome 16) the council is required to report on its management of the sites it operates, ensuring they are ‘well maintained and meet minimum site standards’ set in Scottish Government Guidance. South Lanarkshire continues to achieve this and maintains a 100% satisfaction rate from residents’ surveys.

21% of homes are currently provided for rent by South Lanarkshire Council or Registered Social Landlords, and 10.5% are provided for rent by private landlords, which has grown at an increased rate over the past 10-15 years.

Demand for affordable homes remains high with an average of about 5,000 new applicants to the South Lanarkshire Common Housing Register each year, and around 24,000 new applicants between 2017 and 2022.