Opinion

In this blog, Adriana Mihaela Soaita from the University of Glasgow looks at how the COVID-19 pandemic has augmented the importance of a good neighbourhood and a comfortable home to peoples’ health and wellbeing. They have also brought under the spotlight home’s vulnerabilities, which ta

Andrew Tolmie and Stefanie Johnston outline the current legal landscape in Scotland regarding who pays the remedial works necessary to bring residential buildings into line with new fire safety standards. On 14th June 2017, a fire broke out in the 24-storey Grenfell Tower block in west London, causi

Following a report in which Marie Curie calls for more palliative care support for those experiencing homelessness and terminal illness, Ellie Wagstaff outlines the main issues and the charity's recommendations. Homelessness has traditionally been a bleak picture in Scotland over the years. This has

The Covid crisis has shown that Scotland can end homelessness and rough-sleeping in two years, writes Scottish Conservatives' social justice, housing and local government spokesperson Miles Briggs. The Scottish Parliament elections, at the beginning of this month, already feel like a long

Homeless Network Scotland helps grow the policy and system change needed to resolve homelessness in Scotland. It connects people and places, learning from evidence and shared experiences and acting on what works and what matters. Chief executive, Maggie Brünjes, with an open letter to the

Kevin Reid, chief executive of the Cruden Group, looks at meeting the challenges of using more green energy and sustainable building in new homes. Later this year the delayed UN Climate Change Conference, COP26, will take place in Glasgow and it will come at a time when the pandemic has focused atte

Housebuilders have a responsibility to ensure new-build homes are future-proofed, which is challenging given the rapid evolution of digital connectivity. Queensberry Properties’ sales and marketing director, Hazel Davies, takes a closer look at the ‘Internet of Things’ and the exci

Ben Christman, Rebecca Morton and Shaun McPhee from the Legal Services Agency outline what they believe to be the main issues regarding the poor enforcement of the law of unlawful evictions in Scotland and make recommendations to the Scottish Government. The law of damages for unlawful eviction

CIH Scotland director Callum Chomczuk on the need for reform of our immigration system to end the hostile environment. In March the Home Office published a new immigration plan it said would improve the fairness and efficacy of the system. However, the reality is these proposals may end up

William Anderson, audit, accounts and charity partner, Meston Reid & Co, highlights the need for responsible governance, transparency, accountability and a professional approach when it comes to charity finances. Few charities will emerge from the pandemic unscathed. Like all organisations, they

Paul Hillard, managing director of Irvine Housing Association, reveals why better homes are needed to tackle Scotland's housing crisis. Our housing system in Scotland is in crisis.

CIH Scotland’s new policy and practice officer Catherine Hall details her journey to working in Scotland's housing sector and her passion for environmental law. Throughout my degree in law, I struggled to connect with the idea of pursuing the typical ‘commercial solicitor&rsquo

Following the report from the independent scrutiny board on Mears’ performance as a housing provider, executive director Alan Long discusses why the housing sector should be taking scrutiny more seriously. Scrutiny is a word which is often bandied about – people say more o

Having previously outlined the policy proposals Homeless Action Scotland believes should be adopted by the next Scottish Parliament, communications and engagement manager Garry Burns tackles each of those in detail, beginning with the introduction of a new homelessness and housing minister.

Ahead of this week's Scottish Parliament elections, new policy and practice officer at CIH Scotland Catherine Hall sets out why housing must remain at the heart of the political agenda.