The 10th Scottish Empty Homes Conference will begin with an address by minister for local government, housing and planning Kevin Stewart MSP, and will focus on the theme of Providing Homes, Helping Recovery.

Property expert Kate Faulkner will provide an insight into how Covid-19 is impacting the property market and empty homes, while Hull Women’s Network share their inspiring work in the transformation of empty homes to provide housing for vulnerable women and children.

Several empty homes officers from Scottish local authorities will speak about innovative strategies and best practices, and more speakers are expected to be confirmed in the coming days. Fraser & Fraser have been confirmed as gold sponsor of the conference, with Nick Beetham due to present on behalf of the company.

The list of confirmed speakers to date is as follows:

• Kevin Stewart MSP, minister for local government, housing and planning, Scottish Government
• Emma Anderson, private sector manager, North Ayrshire Council
• Anu Kasim, empty homes officer, Aberdeen City Council
• Kate Faulkner, property market analyst & commentator
• Nick Beetham, Fraser & Fraser
• Kelly Ferns, empty homes officer, Argyll & Bute
• Janet Stitt, Inverclyde Council
• Tony Cain, policy manager, ALACHO
• Murdo Macleod, empty homes officer, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
• Lisa Hilder, trustee, Hull Women’s Network
• John Loudon, National Property Auctions
• Shaheena Din, National Project Manager, Scottish Empty Homes Partnership

Scottish Empty Homes Partnership national project manager Shaheena Din said: “Holding the conference online is new territory for us, so we are really excited about the strength of the programme. The calibre of speakers and the breadth of their experience in empty homes will make for an exciting and engaging conference.

“These are unprecedented times and the expertise of our speakers will highlight the important role that tackling Scotland’s 47,000 empty homes can play in revitalising local economies post-Covid.”

Single day tickets are available for £30, while 3-day conference passes are available for £80.

SEHP hopes that the digital conference will attract new audiences and enable those who may not have been able to travel previous conferences to attend.

Best practices and insights touching on all aspects of empty homes work will be shared, from how local authorities can use innovative tactics to bring back empty homes to the role of empty homes in addressing Scotland’s housing crisis.

The Fraser & Fraser 10th Scottish Empty Homes Awards ceremony will take place during the conference to showcase and celebrate the work of organisations and individuals over the past year.

Ticket sales are open at the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership website (www.emptyhomespartnership.scot/conference/).

National Property Auctions and Finders International have been named as silver and bronze sponsors respectively.

A limited number of sponsorship opportunities are still available. Organisations interested in sponsorship opportunities can contact SEHP for more information and a copy of sponsorship packages.