Scottish Group Tops UK in Social Housing Construction

Wheatley Group has been recognised as the United Kingdom’s largest builder of social housing, highlighting Scotland’s growing influence in affordable home development.

Wheatley Group has been named the largest builder of social housing in the United Kingdom, marking a significant achievement for the Scotland-based housing provider. The recognition comes from Inside Housing’s annual ranking of housing associations, which measures the number of new affordable homes built and started across the UK. 

According to the latest figures, Wheatley delivered more social rent homes than any other housing provider in the UK in 2024-25, building 563 homes for social rent in the last year. This milestone highlights Wheatley’s growing influence in the social housing sector and its central role in addressing the UK’s ongoing housing crisis. 

Wheatley Group manages homes and provides services to over 210,000 people across 19 local authority areas in Scotland. Its housing stock includes social rented homes, mid-market rent properties, and homes for affordable homeownership. The group operates under various well-known brands such as GHA, Dunedin Canmore, Cube Housing Association, and Loretto Housing. 

The organisation’s success is rooted in a clear focus on community investment and sustainable development. Wheatley has not only delivered high volumes of affordable homes but has also committed to improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions in its housing projects. This aligns with broader efforts by the Scottish Government to create greener and more sustainable communities. 

Bernadette Hewitt, Chair of Wheatley Group, described the recognition as a “proud moment” for the organisation. She credited the achievement to the dedication of Wheatley’s staff and the support of its tenants, partners, and stakeholders. She also emphasised that the group remains committed to its mission of “Making Homes and Lives Better,” particularly for those in greatest housing need. 

The award comes at a critical time when demand for affordable housing continues to rise across the UK. With increasing pressure on local authorities to provide more housing options, especially for low-income families, organisations like Wheatley play a key role in meeting that demand. 

Wheatley’s approach combines new-build developments with services that support tenants beyond housing, including employability programmes, fuel poverty assistance, and digital inclusion initiatives. These added services aim to improve the quality of life for residents and help build stronger, more resilient communities. 

As the need for affordable and social housing continues to grow, Wheatley Group’s recognition as the UK’s leading social housing builder highlights the importance of long-term investment, innovation, and partnership in tackling one of the country’s most pressing social issues.