Launched at CIH Scotland’s Annual Conference in Edinburgh in anticipation of the forthcoming Scottish Parliament elections in May of this year, the document sets out policy proposals which CIH Scotland and its members would like to see adopted over the lifetime of the next Scottish Parliament.

These include measures to increase housing supply, improve housing quality and to drive up standards within the housing profession. CIH Scotland’s Agenda for Change also calls for continued action to mitigate the potential negative impacts of welfare reform on housing policy as well as outlining policies to ensure that housing contributes positively to health and wellbeing.

Specific proposals include consideration of land taxation measures to improve access to land for housing and the setting up of an infrastructure loan fund to help deliver enabling infrastructure that supports housing development. The document also backs the introduction of a Warm Homes Bill to help tackle fuel poverty and suitable funding to ensure the energy efficiency of housing can be properly tackled as a designated National Infrastructure Priority.

In relation to wellbeing, recommendations include proper recognition being given to the key role of housing in delivering integration of health and social care. The paper also calls for ongoing efforts to promote and support continuous improvement in standards within the housing profession, across all tenures.

Agenda for Change also includes a commitment from CIH Scotland to work closely with the next Scottish Government to help deliver its key recommendations. This includes promoting and sharing good practice and using the recently established CIH Housing Academy to provide comprehensive learning and development opportunities for housing professionals.

Speaking on behalf of CIH Scotland, executive director Annie Mauger said: “Our Agenda for Change is the culmination of an ongoing dialogue with our members about the key challenges they face day-to-day on the frontline of housing delivery.

“As an organisation, we are committed to working constructively with the next Scottish Government to deliver a housing system that is able to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.

“In the weeks ahead, we will be encouraging as many Scottish Parliament candidates as possible from across all political parties to sign up to this agenda – and to demonstrate that they share our vision of an exciting and positive future for housing policy in Scotland.”