Scottish Housing Day is an annual event which aims to raise awareness of the challenges and successes in Scotland’s housing sector, as well as encouraging the sector and members of the public to get involved by organising events, Q&A sessions, and sharing stories and blogs via social media.

As the event reaches its tenth year, we are encouraging a nationwide discussion on how important good neighbours are to wellbeing and living well in our homes. As part of this, we want to encourage people to get involved and celebrate the local activity and engagement from neighbours and communities across all housing tenures in Scotland.

Commenting on the day, CIH Scotland’s national director and chair of the Scottish Housing Day working group, Callum Chomczuk, said: “Our neighbourhoods and communities affect us all and the most recent Scottish Household Survey shows that across Scotland, the majority (95%) rate their neighbourhood as a good place to live, with fifty-five percent of adults rating their neighbourhood as a ‘very good’ place to live.

“In addition, the same survey shows that people are positive about the people-based features of their communities, such as neighbourhood trust, giving and receiving help from neighbours and availability of places to meet and socialise.

“However, there have also been declines on some measures. Notably, 16 to 24-year-olds have seen declines in neighbourhood ratings, perceptions of neighbourhood kindness, and being able to count on neighbours to keep an eye on the home.

“As we celebrate 10 years of Scottish Housing Day, we want to focus on the great stories from across Scotland about place making, community building and people supporting people, and celebrate the diverse range of neighbours, people and communities that make up Scotland’s housing sector.”

There are a whole range of ways, both big and small, to get involved in this year’s Scottish Housing Day, so take a look at the website for a copy of our supporters’ pack, and don’t forget to sign up as an official supporter.

Housing practitioners and members of the public are also being invited to fill in a short online survey to help inform a report that will be produced for the day.

A free online workshop will also be held on 9 July to help identify what makes a neighbourhood and community great.