The Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) has secured Kevin Stewart MSP, minister for local government, housing and planning, to be its opening speaker at its From Homeless to Housed Conference taking place in Edinburgh this week.

With the Scottish Government embarking on its £23.5 million investment to support providers to speed up re-housing and lessening the time spent in temporary accommodation, the minister will address over 70 attendees from housing associations to supporting organisations.

Mr Stewart said: “We want everyone in Scotland to have a safe place to call home. The ‘Ending Homelessness Together’ Action Plan outlines how, by working in partnership with housing associations, local government, health and social care and the 3rd sector, we will both prevent and end homelessness and rough sleeping, transform temporary accommodation and, through new Rapid Rehousing Transition Plans, seek to secure settled, mainstream housing outcomes for households as quickly as possible. This is all backed by a £50m Ending Homelessness Together Fund.”

Mr Stewart will be joined by a variety of top-level speakers who will be talking about the factors that impact on homelessness crisis that is affecting Scotland and what housing providers can do to make a real difference to people’s lives.

Sally Thomas, chief executive of SFHA, said: “We have a historic opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of vulnerable people across Scotland facing homelessness. I look forward to hearing Minister Kevin Stewart MSP’s thoughts on how we can turn the Government’s plan to tackle homelessness into a reality. We have the political will, we have funding available and we have key housing agencies ready to deliver.

“There is an appetite to do better and move Scotland towards a fairer, more equal society. Our members are already helping to tackle homelessness through practical work in communities, sustaining tenancies and giving people access to the best quality homes.”

Dr Neil Hamlet from NHS Fife, Dave Russell from the Centre for Housing Impact, Claire Frew from Glasgow Homeless Network, Lucie Dunn from Crisis, Ruth Robin from Health Improvement Scotland iHub, Robin Wallace from Simon Community and Fiona King from Shelter will also address the challenges the housing sector faces. Delegates will also be able to take part in sessions relating to domestic abuse, prison leavers and new Scots as well as hearing from people with lived experience.

Two speakers – one from Wales, Will Atkinson from Community Housing Cymru, and one from Perth, Claire Mailer from Perth and Kinross Council - will talk about their experience with actual implementation of plans to end homelessness.

From Homeless to Housed will take place on December 13 at Grassmarket Centre, Edinburgh. For tickets or further details on the conference, please contact Zhan McIntyre at SFHA on 0141 567 6232 or email zmcintyre@sfha.co.uk.