Following a successful launch in September 2016, this will be the second annual Scottish Housing Day and is led by CIH Scotland in partnership with a range of housing sector partners including Shelter Scotland, the Tenant Participatory Advisory Service Scotland (TPAS Scotland), the Association of Local Authority Chief Housing Officers (ALACHO), the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA), the Tenants Forum, Homes for Scotland and the Scottish Association of Landlords (SAL).

The purpose of Scottish Housing Day is to raise public awareness of the latest developments in housing and the different options potentially available when deciding where to live. The aim is to give the public easier access to the resources they need to make properly informed housing decisions.

Key themes for the second annual Scottish Housing Day will include addressing the specific challenges facing younger people in accessing housing, enabling older people to live longer in a home suited to their needs and raising awareness of the positive impact of legislative reform on raising standards in the private rented sector.

It is expected that housing organisations across Scotland will host a variety of activities throughout Scotland to mark this year’s Scottish Housing Day. Over the next six months, anyone taking part is being encouraged to promote what they have planned to mark the occasion using social media and the hash tag #scottishhousingday.

Commenting on the announcement of the date for this year’s Scottish Housing Day, CIH Scotland executive director, Annie Mauger, said: “Following last year’s very successful first ever Scottish Housing Day, we want as many organisations and individuals as possible to get involved in this year’s day and to join us in celebrating all that the amazing people who work in housing do. We also want to communicate more effectively the different options that people potentially have when choosing where to live. We are particularly concerned about young people’s aspirations around having their own home and also how older people can plan their housing choices as they continue living independently for longer.

“We also want to raise awareness of the benefits of legislative reform in the private rented sector, which should hopefully make private renting a positive experience for the growing number of people now living in that sector – or choosing to live in private rented accommodation in the future.”