The 11th Scottish Empty Homes Conference promises to deliver an insightful and valuable tapestry of experience and expertise on the issue of empty homes across Scotland. The event will begin with a keynote speech by Shona Robison, cabinet secretary for social justice, housing, and local government.

Professor Ken Gibb, director of the UK Collaborative Centre for Housing Evidence at the University of Glasgow, is also set to speak. He said: “I am delighted to be speaking at the 11th annual Empty Homes Conference on February 1st, discussing the relationship between affordable supply, empty homes, and the national performance framework.”

Professor Gibb has extensive expertise in housing and social issues, producing many publications, working for the Scottish Parliament’s Housing Reform Committee, and having provided evidence to the Finance, Local Government, and Social Security Committees.

Neighbours with lived experience in dealing with an empty home in the community will have the chance to tell their story and share their perspectives from a local point of view.

Representatives from Scottish Borders Council and North Lanarkshire Council will also be facilitating breakout sessions.

Shaheena Din, Scottish Empty Homes Partnership national project manager, added: “Celebrating success and coming together to address the issue of empty homes across Scotland is at the centre of the conference, ‘From Empty Spaces to Thriving Places’.

“Communities, local groups, charities, academics, and elected representatives all work incredibly hard to address empty homes in Scotland. The conference presents a unique chance to reflect and move forward as we continue to tackle Scotland’s 47,000 empty homes and revitalise local economies.”

The Scottish Empty Homes Conference 2022 will be a hybrid event for the first time, allowing participants to attend digitally or in person at the COSLA Events Centre.

SEHP hope that the hybrid nature of the event will allow them to build on the success of last year’s digital conference. It is expected that widening access to the event in this way and providing people with a choice in how they would like to attend will broaden the insights and perspectives to be shared.

This year’s conference will focus on how initiatives to return empty homes back to use can help to create thriving places, boost local economies, and tackle poverty. People and communities will be at the heart of discussions and workshops on all aspects of transforming empty homes back into valuable community assets.

Best practice and insights touching on all aspects of empty homes work will be shared, from how local authorities can use innovative tactics to bring back empty homes to the role of empty homes in addressing Scotland’s housing crisis.

In-person tickets are offered at an early bird price of £30 while digital tickets are priced at £18. Tickets are available to buy online through Eventbrite. Early bird rates will be available until 24th December.

A limited number of sponsorship opportunities are still available. Organisations interested in sponsorship opportunities can contact paul_stewart@shelter.org for further information and a copy of sponsorship packages.