Opinion

Inspired by calls received from people working and serving in Scotland's social housing sector, Janis McDonald, chief officer of deafscotland, details the communication issues faced by the deaf community.  Deafscotland’s members were recently asked to explain ‘What does Communi

As the Edinburgh Poverty Commission launches its final report today, chair Dr Jim McCormick sets out the Commission’s journey, what it has learned along the way, and what it is calling for next. Our Call to Action in Edinburgh comes after almost two years of conversations across the

Fraser Mitchell writes about proposed technical changes to Scottish Planning Policy and the relevant Scottish Government consultation. In July, the Scottish Government published a consultation on what it describes as a “technical amendment” to Scottish Planning Policy (SPP). The consulta

The need to include social justice and green infrastructure in our housing developments has only been increased by the onset of the current health pandemic, says housing minister Kevin Stewart. The impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis has made many of us reflect on the importance and value of

To mark Scottish Housing Day 2020, Professor Ken Gibb highlights the findings from the recent CaCHE research project on the impact of social housing in Scotland, which provides valuable insights that can be applied around the UK. Wednesday 16 September 2020 is Scottish Housing Day, which is in

The onus is on everyone in the Scottish housing sector to reflect on our success and achievements while driving the message that there is still more work to do, writes Callum Chomczuk for Scottish Housing Day. As we look to build back better after the pandemic, the future of social housing is becomi

David Alexander, joint managing director of property management firm Apropos, details why an increasing number of English landlords are seeking advice from the Scottish market as the eviction deadline approaches. Over the last few weeks apropos, a UK-wide property management platform, has

Homeless Action Scotland CEO Gavin Yates reports back from the Homeless Prevention Strategy Group (HPSG) and warns that despite worrying homelessness statistics this year, potentially yet more bad news is on the horizon.

CIH Scotland has provided an update of the work of the group it is co-chairing with Scottish Women's Aid on improving housing outcomes for women and children experiencing domestic abuse. Last summer the cabinet secretary for communities and local government, Aileen Campbell MSP, announced the creati

Last week the Scottish Government announced a £10 million Tenant Hardship Loan Fund, available from November. But, asks Deborah Hay, will it help people under pressure and struggling to pay their rent? There was a lot to welcome in last week’s Scottish Programme for Government 2020/21: a

The Scottish Government must apply the same focus in driving a vibrant green recovery as it is doing to address the coronavirus pandemic, says Elizabeth Leighton.

Interim director Nicola Thom shares Hunters Hall Housing Co-operative’s experience of hosting its AGM, as well as an additional SGM, via Zoom. Like most RSLs, Hunters Hall Housing Co-op (HHHP) considered the challenge of hosting its AGM remotely in this bizarre new world that we find ourselves

Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) chief executive Sally Thomas outlines the organisation's reaction to this week's Programme for Government. Tuesday’s Programme for Government, announced by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, contained some welcome announcements for the social hou

Sarah Stewart from Burness Paull considers the Scottish Government's Heat Networks Bill and its impact on the housing and heating industries. District heating, also known as a heat network, is a distribution system of insulated pipes that takes heat from a central source and delivers it to a number

Ypeople CEO Janet Haugh discusses meeting the challenges of this year, and how the charity plans to keep the support of those who need it most as its priority. There’s a classic song from the Sixties called ‘You Don’t Miss Your Water (Till Your Well Runs Dry)’ which beautiful