Home is Calling. Is Housing Stopping You?
2 Jul 2026
by Press Release
Torcuil Crichton and Donald MacKinnon are launching a big summer housing survey to measure demand for housing from islanders at home and away.
The Labour MP and MSP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar have set up a joint campaign to find new ways for young people, returnees and businesses to signal their demands for housing in the Western Isles.
It is no secret that access to housing is a major issue in the islands, and the current way of measuring housing demand heavily based on numbers on waiting lists is not accurately conveying demand. Data from those that live away, and demand from business and community organisations, is not recorded.
Throughout the summer, young people and families returning home are invited to complete this survey and share their experiences of housing challenges. Businesses and community organisations are also encouraged to complete separate surveys to highlight how housing issues in the Western Isles are affecting them.
Commenting on the survey, Mr Crichton said: “Housing, or lack of it, is one of the key drivers of the island economy and population but the way of measuring housing demand is usually influenced by housing waiting lists and the location of existing housing stock.
"We’d really like to hear from young people, whether they live at home or are just home for the summer and we’d like to hear from businesses and community organisations to see if lack of housing affects recruitment and job creation.”
Mr MacKinnon added: “Housing came up regularly on the doorsteps during the recent election campaign. While there were slightly varied issues emerging in different areas, it was clear that this is a Western Isles wide problem.
“With this survey we hope to drill down into the impact that housing availability is having on the decisions people make and importantly identify the potential opportunities for our communities if we get housing right.”
The survey titled ‘Home is calling, is housing stopping you?’ launches on Thursday 2nd July through the summer until the 1st of September 2026. The data gathered will help shape new approaches to measuring housing demand and inform future decision-making.
The Public Survey can be accessed here: PUBLIC SURVEY
The Business Survey can be accessed here: BUSINESS SURVEY
The Community Organisation Survey can be accessed here: COMMUNITY ORGANISATION
Should you require a physical copy of any of the surveys, please contact [email protected] or phone 01851 827 472.
Contributed via Press Release Torcuil Crichton MP & Donald MacKinnon MSP