News

Scottish Borders Housing Association (SBHA) has underlined its commitment to supporting the local economy and investing in future talent by welcoming three new Modern Apprentices into its Property Services Team. The three new recruits – an apprentice electrician, apprentice plumber and apprent

Councillors in Aberdeen are to consider whether to pause or abandon work to build new schools, nurseries and social housing due to increasing construction costs, according to reports. Proposals to help the local authority make savings on current developments and to cancel new projects altogethe

In the first exciting announcement from this year’s Scottish Fashion Festival, housing and homelessness charity Shelter Scotland and festival organisers, fashion social enterprise Scotland Re:Design (SR:D), have launched a competition for budding designers with a passion for social justice. Th

The Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) is publishing a series of bulletins to provide an up-to-date synopsis of the latest research and data on how the cost-of-living crisis is affecting housing and social housing tenants. The first bulletin, launched in June 2022, looked at how the crisis is grow

Osprey Housing is now offering potential and existing tenants a digital lettings service which allows applicants to register their interest in specific properties online. The system — delivered through These Homes partnership — will change how Osprey allocates properties. Until now, the

The second part of the Scottish Government's consultation on the forthcoming New Build Heat Standard has been launched. The government is developing regulations which will, from 1 April 2024, prohibit the use of direct emissions heating systems in new buildings: both domestic and non-domestic.

Ofgem has issued energy supplier TruEnergy Ltd with a Provisional Order compelling it to take action to ensure that its direct debit policy and processes are fit for purpose, and to ensure that customer direct debits are set at the right level. This follows a robust review conducted by Ofgem into th

Tighean Innse Gall (TIG) and the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership (SEHP) have launched a joint project to tackle the issue of empty homes in Outer Hebrides, working closely with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council) to purchase and refurbish empty homes that will be made available to mem

Scottish Borders Council is seeking the views of residents and stakeholders on the next Local Housing Strategy, which will cover the period from 2023 to 2028 and will set out a vision for housing and related services in the region. An early engagement survey took place towards the end of 2021 and th

The latest National Records of Scotland statistics show 1,330 people lost their lives to drugs in 2021 – a decrease of only one per cent on the previous year. A national mission was announced in January 2021 to tackle rising death deaths in Scotland with additional funding of £250 millio

Policy initiatives such as the Scottish Government’s recently announced Town Centre Empty Properties Fund are only touching the surface of problems in the housing sector and something more long-term and fundamental is required, according to a property firm. DJ Alexander Ltd believes

Thirty-six new council homes have been completed by North Lanarkshire Council, with 16 new homes opening in Wishaw and 20 at Burnhall Place, Waterloo. These completions drive forward the council's pledge to deliver 5,000 new homes for rent by 2035. To date, the council has completed 954, with constr

Automatic repayments to the UK Government and others owed by people claiming benefits should be put on hold to help households struggling with huge financial pressures during the cost of living crisis, MPs have said. With inflation set to peak at its highest level for 40 years, the report from the c

Street Soccer Scotland will be hosting a small-sided international football tournament in Dundee, this September. The event aims to provide an opportunity for players from Street Football projects across the globe to represent their country in our inaugural small-sided tournament. The event will aim

Homelessness charity Car Gomm will be without an office by the end of August. Carr Gomm is a national organisation which offers care and support and provides a homeless prevention support service for Argyll and Bute Council.