Opinion

Apprentice Cameron Mustard discusses the importance of bridging the skills gap in the construction sector and providing younger generations with a successful route into the industry through apprenticeships and training opportunities. Recent ONS reports for Scotland’s construction sector show t

Maggie Brunjes, chief executive of Homeless Network Scotland, on why we must commit to making it easier to end homelessness in Scotland.

Dr John Boyle from Rettie & Co. reflects on a recent CaCHE-UBDC event on short-term lets in Scotland. A recent CaCHE-UBDC event in Glasgow threw a spotlight on the short-term (or holiday) lets sector in Scotland, specifically looking at trends in the sector as well as the impacts of new legislat

With a variety of social issues highlighted by adverts over the festive period, Homes for Scotland chief executive Jane Wood considers why now, more than ever, we should reflect on the role housing has in our society. Supporting everyone’s right to an adequate standard of living and enshrined

Homes for Scotland's Liz Hamilton looks ahead to the National Planning Framework 4 and outlines what it means for the Scottish economy. Scotland needs more homes. With a shortfall now approaching 100,000 houses since 2007, this is beyond doubt and we require a robust and ambitious plan to put this r

In the wake of a coroner's report into the death of a social housing tenant from a mouldy home, solicitor Claire Camp­bell highlights that ten­ants could be en­ti­tled to com­pen­sa­tion if they have suf­fered in­jury. The press has been full of the tragic story o

Chris Bennett-Taylor, chief executive at homelessness charity Aberdeen Cyrenians reflects on another year of significantly increased demand for its services. The beginning of 2022 seemed to offer a glimmer of hope as we started to ease out further from the Covid-19 pandemic. However, for some of the

Employment lawyer Pauline Hughes outlines the implications of changes to flexible working laws. The Scottish Government has recently announced that they will soon be passing new legislation around flexible working, updating the current rules to, ironically, make the scheme more flexible for emp

Changes to local connection legislation, which come into force today, that suspends the power of Scottish local authorities to refer people who present as homeless to another area is a long time coming, says Lisa Borthwick at Shelter Scotland. Tuesday 29 November is a momentous day for housing and h

Anthony Morrow and Kevin Carr at Sanctuary Scotland’s Community Investment Team speak about Sanctuary's approach to homelessness through better connectivity with those in tenancies as well as within the organisation. Sanctuary’s Perspective, Anthony Morrow (Community Connector Manager)

Steph Elliot continues the SFHA's monthly TECH column with a call for organisations to sign up to the TEC in Housing Charter. The reach of the housing sector extends across Scotland and services millions of people in every community. Individually and as a collective we have the potent

Mike Staples and Ronnie MacRae reveal how community-led housing helps address repopulation challenges in Scottish communities. Between 2009 and 2013, 40 people left the small Gaelic-speaking crofting community of Staffin in the north of Skye. This was a 6.6% population drop in four years.

Elizabeth Leighton on the tragedy of underspending on energy efficiency funding. Energy prices are causing real harm right across Scotland with thousands of households being pushed into fuel poverty. The good news is, we already know how to fix this – improving the energy efficiency of homes r

Following up on a previous blog in Scottish Housing News regarding market volatility, Ross Barty provides an update on what has changed in the last six months and what housing associations and councils in Scotland should be mindful of now and over the next few months. A new market dynamic is impacti

While the finalised version of the National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) has environmental considerations at its heart, Alastair Wood asks whether it will have the ability to deliver on the Scottish Government’s 2045 net zero ambitions and whether planning will still be able to support the