The CIH Scotland housing awards recognise and celebrate the creativity, passion and innovation of housing organisations and individuals across the sector in Scotland, and despite a hugely challenging year, this year’s awards received over 75 entries across eleven categories, including communications in a crisis, best frontline housing story and excellence in leadership.

While proceedings were a little different this year due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, guests were still treated to an evening of glamour, entertainment and virtual cocktail making as the following winners were announced:

Communications in a crisis award

• Won by Wheatley Group for ‘A route through a pandemic.’

Excellence in customer service award

• Won by Wheatley Group’s Environmental Team

Excellence in housing innovation award

• Won by Dumfries and Galloway Housing Partnership for ‘Amazon meets Annan: a cutting edge repairs service for rural housing stock’

Excellence in championing equality and diversity award

• Won by PATH Scotland for its Positive Action Traineeships
• Highly commended, East Ayrshire Council for its provision for Gypsy/Traveller Communities 

Working in partnership award

• Won by East Ayrshire Federation of Tenants and Residents for ‘Tenancy agreement video’ (with East Ayrshire council)

Excellence in professionalism award

• Won by Kingdom Housing Association for its ‘Culture change programme’

Excellence in development for affordable housing award

• Won by South Ayrshire Council for ‘Houdston-reid Lea’

Best frontline housing story

• Won by Craigdale Housing Association’s staff team

Housing team of the year award

• Won by staff across Fife Council’s Housing Services, Building Services and Business Support teams

Inspirational young professional award

• Won by Jade Holbein of Queens Cross Housing Association

Excellence in leadership award

• Won by Bill Banks of Kingdom Housing Association

Commenting on the award winners, CIH Scotland director Callum Chomczuk said: “Although the past year has been a huge challenge for everyone, I’m delighted that we have still been able to come together as a sector to celebrate the incredible achievements of our 2021 award winners at our special virtual ceremony.

“As always, the standard of entries this year has been incredibly high and demonstrates the fantastic work that is happening across Scotland and I hope that all of our shortlisted entries, as well as our winners, are rightly proud of their success during this particularly difficult time.”