Nominations are now open for the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) Scotland Excellence Awards.

The awards – sponsored by Dunedin Canmore – aim to recognise the impact housing professionals and organisations have on people and communities and to share what works and what doesn’t across the sector.

The nine categories include the Margaret Vass Award for Excellence in Frontline Housing, which highlights the achievements of frontline housing staff, and the Bob Allan Young Achiever in Housing Excellence Award, which celebrates young individuals who have put the human aspects of tenant or client services first. And there are three new categories for 2015 including Apprentice of the Year.

CIH’s national business units executive director, Annie Mauger, said: “The Chartered Institute of Housing is all about supporting housing professionals to be the best at providing services to people in need in their communities and delivering safe and affordable homes for everyone. These awards are the highlight of our year – a chance to celebrate the work of our profession and the impact that people have in their local communities. We will be celebrating the best practice, innovation and individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to the sector.

“Most importantly, these awards are nominated by the whole Scottish housing sector and are judged by peers, so it’s not easy to win one! We urge everyone to get involved and nominate.”

Information about the awards – including who’s eligible for nomination and how to apply – is available online at www.cih.org/excellenceawards. Nominations must be received by 21 September 2015, and the award winners will be announced at the CIH Scotland Excellence Awards Dinner, held in the centre of Edinburgh on 13 November 2015.

@CIHScotland