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
Insight
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
The recent procurement award season went extremely well for Scotland Excel’s New Build Framework - winning Scottish and national awards for ‘Best Procurement Delivery’, but also winning the ‘GO Excellence Award’ at the national final. We caught up with Graeme Sutherland
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
Scottish Housing News Podcast co-host Jimmy Black looks back on a conversation with Alistair McIntosh, CEO of Housing Quality Network.
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
After sitting down with Places For People Scotland’s managing director Tom Norris for the Scottish Housing News Podcast to discuss the stigmas that still surround social housing in Scotland, Jimmy Black reveals how his experiences have shaped his outlook to this day.
Susanne Flynn: Housing must be seen as a key partner in the delivery of social care for older people
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