A gathering of computer coders, designers and housing professionals is set to create new digital solutions to some of Scotland’s most pressing housing issues.

Housing and homelessness charity Shelter Scotland is conducting a weekend ‘Hackathon’ hosted by Product Forge in Edinburgh from Friday 29 July through to Sunday 31 July.

From people with digital coding and design skills to people with knowledge of the housing sector and experience of homelessness and bad housing, the charity wants their help to feed into the product designs and devise digital solutions that help address the real world problems faced by those affected by Scotland’s housing crisis.

Teams at the hackathon will present their solutions to a judging panel of local tech leaders, entrepreneurs and housing professionals, who will announce the winning product on Sunday evening.

Shelter Scotland has a reputation for digital innovation having picked up two prestigious Social Buzz Awards in the last four years.

Conrad Rossouw, digital manager at Shelter Scotland, said: “This is going to be a really exciting weekend and we are all looking forward to seeing what the teams can come up with.

“From products which help private renters and landlords understand their rights and responsibilities to help for people who are digitally excluded as more welfare resources are moved online – including the roll-out of Universal Credit, we’re hoping for some innovative solutions to these very real issues.

“Other possible outcomes could be a solution to help us discover and understand more about the level of ‘hidden homelessness’ - people who don’t have a home of their own but rely on support from friends and family members – or ways of reaching people who are spending night after night rough sleeping.”

Conrad Rossouw added: “Anyone wishing to contribute during the weekend please bring along your laptop or just your ideas and we’ll supply you with everything you need to keep you going over the weekend. Whether you’re a developer, designer, entrepreneur, student or just interested in tech or housing, you’re invited to attend. People who’ve experienced bad housing or homelessness are especially welcome as your voice is fundamental to understanding the issues faced and, therefore, finding an effective solution.”

To get involved and find out more visit here. There’s a livestream to follow and the event hashtag is: #ShelterScotPF.