NEARLY 700,000 Scottish households live in housing hardship, according to a new study.

The report, compiled by researchers at the Diffley Partnership and estate agent Rettie & Co for Homes for Scotland (HFS), paints a picture of multiple housing hardships experienced.

Based on a survey of 13,690 people in Scotland, the housebuilders’ body concludes that as many as 28 per cent of Scottish households— 693,000 — are living in “unacceptable properties.”

Housing hardships identified included overcrowding at 4.9 per cent, a lack of specialist adaptations, and living in unfit properties classed as “very poor conditions” each at 3.4 per cent.

Researchers also found that 7.5 per cent of respondents said housing costs were causing financial difficulty, and a further 14.9 per cent of those surveyed had at least one “concealed” household — where some in the household may wish to form a new one but cannot — equating to as many as 185,000 and 373,000 Scottish households respectively.

HFS chief executive Jane Wood said: “As this comprehensive report demonstrates, the level of housing need far exceeds the current calculations used to determine where and how many homes need to be built in Scotland.

“It is our hope that, in our shared endeavour to end the housing crisis, this data will be welcomed and used by the Scottish government, local authorities and other stakeholders to ensure that our housing needs are properly met.”

Housing Minister Paul McLennan responded: “We will invest £556 million in affordable housing next year to increase the delivery of more affordable homes, the majority of which will be for social rent, including supporting acquisitions of existing properties.

“We will also work with the financial community to attract private-sector investment and help deliver more homes.”