With a mixture of policy insight, practical learning and the chance to share experiences with colleagues operating within rural and island communities, the conference will give delegates the opportunity to look into both the issues facing the sector and the methods being put together to address them. 

On the first day, the event will get underway with the Rural and Islands Housing Association Forum meeting, ahead of the conference formally starting in the afternoon.

After the welcome, Somerville will give the ministerial address, before focusing on Healthy Homes Action & Research during the initial plenary session.

For the second day, the focus will be on some of the key problems that rural and island housing providers are facing, with the event looking into innovation, homelessness prevention, community partnerships, housing standards and the move to new technologies.