Opinion

Ariane Burgess MSP, convener of the Scottish Parliament’s Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee Agenda, is urging Scottish residents to have their say on short-term lets legislation. Scotland has some of the most beautiful natural scenery in the world. It is no wonder that plac

Annika Joy is chief executive of Safe in Scotland (formerly Glasgow Night Shelter for Destitute Asylum Seekers), a human rights charity that develops and delivers lawful, safe, dignified accommodation and trauma-informed support for people experiencing asylum-related destitution. Here, Annika consid

Having spent two decades trying to reduce tenant fuel poverty and make a tiny contribution to slowing the climate crisis, Lochalsh and Skye Housing Association CEO Neil Clapperton thinks he might have found a solution. Maitland Mackie of ice cream fame gifted me two things: two inches on m

Professor Ruth Chang is chair and professor of jurisprudence at the University of Oxford and a professorial fellow at University College, Oxford. Professor Chang will speak at this year’s Scottish Homelessness Conference this Thursday 7 October, day three of the event, about choice and commitm

Prof Sarah Johnsen and Dr Janice Blenkinsopp provide an overview of the main findings from the first interim report of the independent evaluation of Scotland’s Housing First Pathfinder programme. Operating in five areas encompassing six local authorities (Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire, Dunde

Scottish Association of Landlords (SAL) chief executive John Blackwood gives his take on plans for a new deal for tenants in the private rented sector. With the ink barely dry on the new SNP and Scottish Greens co-operation agreement, the Scottish Government is keen to forge ahead with its plans to

Hugh Hill, director of services at Simon Community Scotland, discusses the importance of reading, as the organisation opened a library for people experiencing homelessness in Edinburgh earlier this week. Stories connect us, it's a simple truth. We all share stories, about our daily life, our holida

With Scottish Housing Day's focus on housing and the climate emergency, Kingdom Housing Association has taken time to reflect on its own low carbon journey, whilst also considering its role as part of a sector committed to tackling climate change.

Midlothian Council's head of development - place Fiona Clandillon argues that the commercial and public sectors need to be brought into greater alignment to ensure emission standards are raised across all homes in Scotland. Commercial housebuilders have been essential partners in delivering Sco

Kingdom chief executive Bill Banks details how the group has been meeting the climate challenge head-on through its Sustainability Policy and beyond. The theme of this year's Scottish Housing Day is Housing and the Climate Emergency.

Kevin Reid, chief executive of the Cruden Group, gives a commentary on the Housing and Climate Emergency theme of Scottish Housing Day. In the 2018-2019 financial year more new homes were built in Scotland than at any time since the crash of 2008. Covid put the brakes on activity levels and alt

Homeless Action Scotland CEO Gavin Yates provides his take on this week's Programme for Government, in particular the proposals for rent controls. The Scottish Government’s Programme for Government announced recently had many eye-catching headlines. 

Kirsty Wells, head of Housemark Scotland, highlights how social landlords can play a significant part in combating climate change. Climate change is a serious threat to lives, from the very real risk of water shortages and food production becoming difficult, to heat waves, violent storms and downpou

Martin Gavin from Homeless Network Scotland takes a closer look at the housing and homelessness elements in the Programme for Government, published on Tuesday. ‘A Fairer, Greener Scotland’ declares the bold white typeface set against blue sky in the striking cover photograph for the 2021

Ten years on from the Christie Commission, Stephen Boyle, the Auditor General for Scotland, discusses the continued need for change in Scotland's public services. Ten years ago, the Christie report set out an inspiring agenda for change that would put people at the heart of public services. Unl