Scotland needs 23,000 new homes a year to protect children from lasting health problems a new report has warned.

The study, published by an independent commission on housing and wellbeing set up by housing charity Shelter Scotland, also says urgent action is needed to ensure all Scots have decent, safe secure homes, against the background of a growing housing crisis.

Chaired by former auditor general for Scotland Robert Black, it says a failure to act now will risk the country's future wellbeing.

Mr Black said: "This report is about the central importance of everyone in Scotland having a safe, secure and suitable home which allows each and every one of us to live fulfilling lives and achieve our potential.

"We are a long way short of this. There are about 150,500 households on waiting lists for social housing, 940,000 in fuel poverty and over 60,000 are overcrowded. With an averagely priced house now costing about five times the average annual income, owning your own home is becoming an unachievable pipedream for many people in Scotland, especially young adults and families."

He added: "The Commission is convinced that good homes are important for better health and educational achievement. They can lead to savings for the health service, for example, and it is clear that a safe, secure home is essential for children's development and education."

The report, Housing and Wellbeing: A blueprint for Scotland's future calls for a radical look at the future direction of housing policy in Scotland and links the benefits of having a decent, safe and secure home to better health and life chances for all.

The Commission makes 18 priority recommendations which it says would begin to address housing-related poverty and environmental challenges.

It includes the call for the construction of 23,000 new homes a year, 9,000 of which it says should be 'affordable homes'. It points to housing benefit and council tax reform as major challenges and says the pace of improvement of environmental standards in housing must be increased in order to reduce residential greenhouse emissions.

Spending on housing should be seen as a preventative measure, to help tackle health problems, many of which are linked to bad housing, homelessness and poverty, the report also says.

Anne Jarvie, former Chief Nursing Officer for Scotland and member of the Commission, said: "Having to live in cold, damp and completely unsuitable properties or not having a permanent home risks the long-term physical and mental health and wellbeing of many people, particularly children.

"By acting now we can help to end this inequality and create an environment where current and future generations in Scotland can prosper and flourish."

Among its recommendations is a call for the Scottish Government to establish an independent advisory body, chaired by the Minister, consisting of housing professionals, but a range of others with relevant backgrounds and experience, which would report annually to the Scottish Parliament on the state of Scottish housing.

Commenting on the launch of the report, Graeme Brown, Director of Shelter Scotland, said: "This report outlines the action that needs to be taken to provide hope for every family and individual affected by Scotland's housing crisis.

"[It] is a major step forward in understanding both the reasons for and some of the potential solutions to Scotland's housing crisis."