Insight

In an exclusive commentary piece for Scottish Housing News, Highland Housing Alliance (HHA) CEO Gail Matheson looks back over an interesting year for mid-market rent properties in Scotland. As 2024 closes, I've been reflecting on the opportunities and challenges Scotland's housing sector has faced o

Steven Tolson FRICS, chair of the Housing and Place Delivery Forum (HPDF), reflects on the work of the Forum and the challenges that remain for planners and developers in Scotland. The HPDF came to an end in December 2024, but the evidence it has generated will continue to inform housing and plannin

A trip to Greenock to see the award-winning retrofit project at Prospecthill Court for the Scottish Housing News Podcast provides Jimmy Black with renewed vigour regarding the potential for multi-storey to play a part in Scotland's housing landscape. Take an elderly multi high above the Clyde on an

Scottish Housing Regulator chair George Walker recalls the latest meeting with its systemically important landlord group to discuss the current issues in social housing. We held the third meeting of the year of the Systemically Important landlord group.

Land expert Martin Andrews outlines the role that Wemyss and March Estates' expansion of Longniddry can play in tackling Scotland's housing emergency. Whether tens, hundreds, or even thousands of years ago, every parcel of our built environment was once green and fertile land. As a land manager, in

Following on from the recent Scottish Budget, Jim Baxter, who has been financial director at Allanwater Homes for the past 27 years, outlines what he believes can be done to help address Scotland’s housing shortage, alongside his thoughts on improving the country’s planning system. The c

CMS partner Caroline Maciver highlights what the Scottish Government has in store for 2025 in terms of cladding remediation. As this year comes to a close, Scotland’s housing minister Paul McLennan has given some indications of what to expect next year in respect of cladding remediation.

Dr Gareth Young explores the evolving role of social housing providers in delivering employment & business support. Over the last year, I have been working with Communities that Work and Unity Homes and Enterprise to explore the role that Unity Homes and Enterprise play within the community in w

The Construction Industry Training Board’s CEO, Tim Balcon, unveils what he thinks the year ahead looks like for the homebuilding industry.  The homebuilding challenge will continue to put the construction sector under pressure in 2025 and will need wholescale, ongoing collaboration cross

As housing and homelessness organisations call on the Scottish Government to publicly commit to defending legal rights to safe and suitable housing, Mhairi Snowden, head of policy and programmes at Homeless Network Scotland, said urgent reassurance is required. It is vital that we keep the housing r

When retrofitting listed buildings, Thomas & Adamson director Hamish Paterson suggests that the main concern is finding the balance between modern sustainability goals and protecting history and heritage in our towns and cities. Decarbonisation of the built environment is a complex challenge, wi

Professor Kim McKee highlights the growing challenges in the UK’s private rental sector, including affordability, tenancy insecurity, and the diverse needs of renters.

Researchers in the social sciences are increasingly using innovative methodologies to promote collaboration and generate impact. Appreciative Inquiry (AI – not to be confused with Artificial Intelligence) is one such approach. This blog by Dr Gareth James highlights the principles, strengths

The prospect of sharing your home with unwanted pests is a bad enough thought. However, it is a challenge that many are having to endure as effective pest control in the urban environments of our towns and cities continues to become harder. Chris Cagienard, managing director of Glasgow-based Pe

Albyn Housing Society CEO Kirsty Morrison highlights the importance of having enough homes important it is to ensure there are enough homes should the proposed Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport and other initiatives in the Highlands are going to be successful. It has now been over six mont