Heriot-Watt University

The Urban Society of Heriot-Watt University will be launching the first annual Scottish Urban Students Forum networking and speakers event on April 6 at the Scottish Poetry Library. The theme for the inaugural networking and speakers event will be Perspectives in Placemaking: The future of Planning

New recommendations to ensure the commitment to eradicate rough sleeping in Scotland have been accepted in principle by the Scottish Government. Set out by the government’s Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Group, the full recommendations cover actions to prevent rough sleeping; empower front

Holyrood's local government and communities committee will continue to examine the Planning (Scotland) Bill today as it hears evidence from organisations from the country’s builders and planners. Tammy Swift-Adams, director of planning, Homes for Scotland, Jenny Hogan, deputy chief executive, Scot

Heriot-Watt University is exploring the potential of a new way to provide housing for young people at risk of homelessness. The spare room scheme would match 16-25-year olds in need of accommodation with a host’s spare room, with rent paid for the room and support provided to the young person and

In a new blog for the Institute for Social Policy, Housing, and Equalities Research (I-SPHERE) at Heriot-Watt University, Professor Glen Bramley reflects on the process of recommending a new definition of fuel poverty in Scotland. The Scottish Government recently announced a new consultation on a Fu

A new publication from the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) explores the concept of Housing First and the principles behind it and looks at how it is being put into practice across the UK and Ireland as a one of a range of approaches to tackling homelessness. Housing First offers permanent accom

Social Bite has published a new study focussed on eradicating homelessness in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee. The report by researchers at Heriot-Watt University gives a detailed breakdown of homelessness statistics in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee and a clear roadmap of how to co

The Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Group A panel of homelessness experts from across Scotland met for the first time on Thursday as work to address the challenges of rough sleeping, and how temporary accommodation can best be utilised, officially got underway.

People who have lived through homelessness, including some who still don’t have a permanent home, are to offer advice and support to others thanks to new funding for an innovative project in Dundee. The ‘Time for Change’ volunteers will be trained by housing and homelessness charity Shelter Sc

Cyrenians chief executive Ewan Aitken reflects on new homelessness research from Crisis. The recent report from the excellent Heriot Watt University commissioned by Crisis as part of their 50th year anniversary predicting a 50% plus rise in homelessness is shocking, but it comes as no surprise for m

The number of people experiencing the worst forms of homelessness is expected to rise by 50% on current levels over next 25 years, according to a new report by Crisis. There are currently 11,800 people across Scotland either sleeping rough, staying in hostels, living in unsuitable temporary accommod

Professor Ken Gibb The University of Glasgow is to lead a consortium of nine universities and four non-academic professional bodies in a major new research programme examining the UK’s housing system.

An independent panel of academic experts is to review the definition of fuel poverty after which a consultation will open on a new long-term fuel poverty strategy and statutory eradication target, the Scottish Government has announced. Last autumn the Scottish Fuel Poverty Strategic Working Group an

Dr Beth Watts Homelessness policy experts have criticised a charity’s plan to build Scotland’s first homeless village as well-intentioned but likely to be ineffective in helping rough sleepers.

Dr Beth Watts Dr Beth Watts argues that the growing focus on innovative responses to homelessness must be balanced with a commitment to approaches we already know work.