Marking Scottish Housing Day in a unique celebration of smaller remote communities and the geography of the islands staff from across LSHA – including Housing and Property Services, Rent collection, Energy Advice, Handypersons, and Tenant Advice teams, along with partners Alienergy– were on hand to chat about housing, listen to local views, and explore what makes a good neighbour. 

At the heart of the day was a desire to understand what matters most to people. Prompted by simple questions such as “What’s the best thing about your community?” and “What makes a good neighbour?”, LSHA gathered valuable insights that will help shape future tenant participation and community initiatives. It builds on work with the Highland Council tenant participation officer to hold joint ‘Housing Blethers’ to reach across communities.

Over 50 people engaged, including some curious tourists, with comments covering housing options, welcoming new residents, estate standards and community pride, tenant engagement, access to housing, and comments on our repairs service. 

The housing association learnt how many neighbours help one another out, whether it be taking in bins for people, sharing washing lines, or taking people to Inverness for hospital visits. People mentioned how grateful they are to have the same neighbours for years, and when new neighbours move in, they are helpful too. 

Some people commented that they ‘don’t see anyone nowadays, apart from at the Coop’ – this highlights the importance of local shops as community hubs and where staff positioned themselves to engage with people. 

These conversations are highlighting the importance of neighbours in the association’s rural area, and how dependent some people are on their communities – especially when it comes to hospital visits, or companionship.

It was also an opportunity for tenants to ask housing questions or to meet people face-to-face instead of just over the phone. This helped the association connect with communities that we aren’t regularly in, so it can tailor its engagement plans to suit them. 

The event was also an opportunity to highlight LSHA’s commitment to being a truly local housing association. By using community hubs, LSHA not only made it easy for people to get involved but also demonstrated that housing is about much more than buildings – it is about people, relationships, and the strength of communities.

Jess Clarke, tenant engagement and support manager, said: “Scottish Housing Day 2025 has been a reminder that strong communities are built not just through bricks and mortar, but through the people who live, work, and support each other within them. LSHA is proud to have played its part in celebrating that message in such a local and inclusive way.