Opinion

Paul Kelly argues that more collaboration and regular communications with planning authorities is required to get projects moving. It’s no surprise to me that the number of affordable homes started in the last quarter has decreased significantly from the same period last year. For private sale

To protect customers, the UK government has introduced a new code of practice and ombudsman scheme applying to all private buyers of new homes for owner-occupation anywhere in the UK. Finlay Campbell explains the details. The New Homes Quality Board (NHQB), an independent body established by Westmin

As part of Scotland Excel’s ‘Supporting the journey to net zero’ campaign, John Renwick, sector manager construction at ESP, reveals how Scotland’s colleges are transitioning at pace to develop low carbon heat and energy efficiency training facilities. The Scottish Government

Launching a regular SHN column on Technology Enabled Care in Housing (TECH), Steph Elliot highlights a new interim report that reveals advances made by the TECH programme over the past two and a half years. The social housing sector in Scotland reaches over 600,000 households across the country

Barry Johnstone explores the new approach to agile working being adopted post-Covid at Caledonia Housing Association including a move from large offices to smaller destination sites. I was interested to read recently that even City workers in London, are not rushing back to the square mile and old w

Lucie Dunn introduces a new guide to homelessness prevention published yesterday by Crisis which includes a compendium of projects, services and approaches with practical examples of homelessness prevention from Scotland and beyond. Yesterday Crisis published 75 Ways to Prevent Homelessnes

Aaron Hill, Scottish Federation of Housing Associations' (SFHA) director of policy and membership, announced the relaunch of SFHA members' forums and discusses how the changes will support members' needs. SFHA’s forums are a key part of our member offer – supporting us to engage directly

Fiona McPhail, principal solicitor at Shelter Scotland, highlights the implications of the Abdelwahab-Kaba Dafaalla v City of Edinburgh Council case. Abdelwahab-Kaba Dafaalla v City of Edinburgh Council concerns the issue of repeat or subsequent homeless applications, where a local authority has alr

Sally Thomas reflects on the SFHA's recent Annual Conference and how collaboration is key if the sector is to create the future it wants. It was so good to see so many of our members, associates and partner organisations, in person, at our recent Annual Conference. All SFHA conferences take a great

Craig Sanderson continues the recent discussion on procurement with a warning against a return to the dark days of  ‘suicide bidding’. There has been much ado about procurement recently with:

Planning minister Tom Arthur and chief planner Fiona Simpson have written to update stakeholders on aspects of the work programme, heading into the summer recess period. For all of us, we have been working through what has been a particularly busy and important time for Scotland’s planning sys

Susanne Flynn from CIH Scotland considers the role of housing in the Scottish Government's forthcoming health and social care strategy for older people. Many of us will need support at some time in our lives to be able to live independently, whether through illness, a disability, or as we get older

Steven Simpson from Cruden Homes (East) examines what lies ahead for the housing market, the challenges faced and meeting changing customer needs. Just last month Cruden Homes was amongst the winners at the annual Homes for Scotland Awards. Awards are always welcome, but they mean even more during t

In a guest blog for the Scottish Commission for People with Learning Disabilities, Moira Bayne discusses the accessibility of social housing allocation processes used by councils across Scotland, and the impact on people with learning disabilities. Housing is an important issue for many pe

Investment in social housing targets poverty, homelessness, net-zero and education and employment, argues Homeless Action Scotland (HAS) CEO Gavin Yates. The Scottish Government’s Resource Spending Review has been well picked over. Launched on June 1, it attempted to square the circle of keepi