Last month the number of individual users on the SHN website broke through 80,000 for the first time. Subscribers to the SHN newsletter, which marks its 20th anniversary next year, increased yet again to 7,353 and Twitter to 13,306.

SHN sister publication Scottish Construction Now has seen an even more dramatic rise in readers with users on the website in May reaching 147,198 and subscribers increasing to 9,580 while another 524 readers followed SCN LinkedIn page last month taking followers to 5,152.

Editor Kieran Findlay said: “I think our readers have been very appreciative that we have been able to carry on publishing during lockdown with high-quality content and vital information for housing associations during the COVID crisis.”

He added: “Despite the difficulties we face, we have been able to continue to develop our editorial content. Our Housing Heritage series has proved popular and we have welcomed former Herald business correspondent Margaret Taylor to our ranks to conduct interviews and produce features.

“During the pandemic, SHN has also partnered with Homeless Network Scotland to collect and share the experiences and challenges faced by its members, the wider homelessness sector and people confronted directly with homelessness during the COVID-19 crisis.”

Mr Findlay continued: “Our continued growth during this difficult time puts us in good stead to come out of the crisis stronger with improved coverage attracting more readers and offering even better value for our advertisers.”