News

John Blackwood A commission looking at alternatives to the council tax should tackle “flaws” in the system to encourage more investment in the private rented sector, according to representatives of landlords.

Angus Housing Association chairman, Sheena Welsh, has described the 2014/15 financial year as “probably, in overall terms, the most successful in the more than 40 years of our history.” In approving the association’s Annual Accounts for the year, shareholding members at the recent Annual Gener

John Alexander Fresh thinking, a change in attitude and a frank discussion. This is what is required if we are to seriously change the way in which local authorities deal with the travelling community and the associated public outcry, Councillor John Alexander tells Scottish Housing News.

The Church of Scotland has joined with other churches and charities calling on the UK government to set up a full, independent review of the benefits sanctions system. In the 100 days since the House of Commons work and pensions select committee called for a review the government has given no indica

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) in Scotland has called on Chancellor George Osborne to use his upcoming emergency budget to ensure stability and growth in the Scottish property sector. The organisation said the general election painted a clear picture of the Scottish political la

By Emma Dore at Shelter Scotland This week the Scottish Government released the annual Homelessness Statistics. In general, the statistics paint the same picture as last year with headline trends staying the same. The numbers of homeless applications and assessments as homeless continue to go down (

Pupils at St Agathas Primary School demonstrate the project to the Greenshoots Trustees Fife school pupils are taking part in a ground-breaking energy efficiency project that enables them to learn how to conserve energy, protect the environment and cut the fuel bills of the future.

A new Perth and Kinross Credit Union (PKCU) service in Blairgowrie was officially opened today by deputy first minister and MSP for Perthshire North John Swinney. PKCU was launched in April 2014 and offers a range of ethical lending and saving services for anyone who lives or works in Perth and Kinr

Iain Duncan Smith The UK government has announced plans to scrap the target to eliminate child poverty by 2020.

Aberdeen City Council has improved how it is run in recent years and has plans for further changes but a great deal more work is needed to deliver these, according to the Accounts Commission. A new report out today examines progress at the council following changes in management structures and polit

Fife housing associations have held an event to develop a strategy to ensure that tenants are able to access the internet and benefit from support and training to make the most of information technology. The event was organised by Fife Housing Association Alliance and staff from Fife, Glen, Kingdom

A pilot project has been hailed a success for helping homeless people to turn their lives around and find homes that meets their needs. The Housing First Renfrewshire initiative, a partnership between Renfrewshire Council and Turning Point Scotland, has over the last 12 months supported 10 local peo

Brian Moran, area lettings director for Your Move, has been appointed to the board of the Association of Residential Lettings Agents (ARLA). The move means the UK professional and regulatory body for lettings agents will have a representative for Scotland for the first time.

Tenants at a retirement housing development in West Lothian have gone for gold at a popular local sporting event for care services, the CANalympics. The energetic team from Bield’s Ochilview Court, in Armadale, participated in the event, which is now in its fifth year and is run by the West Lothia

A new programme aimed at preventing homelessness and reoffending by newly released young offenders was launched in Scotland on Wednesday. Young offenders aged 16-21 in HM Young Offenders Institute Polmont will benefit from the expertise of advisors from housing and homelessness charity Shelter Scotl