The Scottish Housing News Podcast

In this episode of the Scottish Housing News Podcast, Professor Duncan McLennan discusses the complexities of the Scottish housing system, addressing the notion of a housing emergency, the implications of the right to buy policy, and the urgent need for increased social housing.Speaking with hosts Kieran Findlay and Jimmy Black, he emphasises the economic impacts of housing, the importance of quality and location, and the challenges faced in rural housing markets. The conversation also touches on the role of government in housing policy, the necessity for disruption in current practices, and the future directions for housing in Scotland.A transcript of this episode is available here: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/duncan-mclennan-transciptJimmy Black has written a blog to accompany the episode here: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/blacks-blog-i-was-aghastChapters00:00 Introduction to Housing Challenges in Scotland03:02 Understanding the Housing Emergency05:55 The Right to Buy and Its Implications09:12 The Need for Increased Social Housing12:03 Housing as a Merit Good and Economic Impact15:00 The Role of Government in Housing Policy17:56 Housing and Economic Growth20:49 Productivity and Housing Quality24:07 The Importance of Location in Housing26:57 Challenges in Rural Housing Markets29:52 The Future of Housing Policy in Scotland33:04 Rent Control and Investment Concerns36:00 The Need for Disruption in Housing Policy38:48 Conclusion and Future DirectionsKieran Findlay is the editor of Scottish Housing News. Jimmy Black is a former Dundee housing convener and housing justice campaigner.Feedback on this episode and the podcast is welcome via our social media channels:⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/28156734/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/ScotHousingNews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/scottishhousingnews⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5ywXRXl40cxozNrBpReSTd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/scottishhousingne

In this episode of the Scottish Housing News Podcast, the discussion revolves around the proposed amendments to the Housing Scotland Bill, particularly focusing on homelessness prevention.The conversation features insights from Susie Fitton, policy manager at the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA), Meave McGoldrick, head of policy and communications at Crisis in Scotland, and John Mills, head of housing at Fife Council and co-chair of ALACHO, exploring the implications of the Bill, the role of local authorities, the importance of collaboration, and the challenges faced in implementing these changes.The episode also addresses the need for a cultural shift in how homelessness is approached, emphasising prevention over crisis management, and the necessity for adequate resources and support systems to effectively tackle the issue.A transcript of this episode is available here: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/amendments-to-the-housing-bill-with-susie-fitton-john-mills-and-maeve-mcgoldrick-podcast-transcriptJimmy Black has written a blog to accompany the episode here: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/blacks-blog-do-your-job-by-lawChapters00:00Introduction to the Housing Scotland Bill03:09Key Amendments and Their Implications05:48The Role of Local Authorities in Homelessness Prevention09:01Challenges in Implementation and Resource Allocation11:52The Importance of Collaboration and Data Sharing15:10Addressing Domestic Abuse in Housing Policy18:02The Carrot vs. Stick Debate in Housing Legislation20:46Future Directions and Key Amendments Needed24:08Conclusion and Next StepsKieran Findlay is the editor of Scottish Housing News. Jimmy Black is a former Dundee housing convener and housing justice campaigner.Feedback on this episode and the podcast is welcome via our social media channels:⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/28156734/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/ScotHousingNews⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/scottishhousingnews⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5ywXRXl40cxozNrBpReSTd⁠⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/scottishhousingnews.com⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/ScotHousingNews⁠⁠Read all our news and sign up for our free daily newsletter at ⁠⁠⁠https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/

Gillian Campbell, director of the Existing Homes Alliance, and CIH Scotland's policy and practice manager, Ashley Campbell, join Kieran Findlay and Jimmy Black to discuss the Scottish Government's newly revised Heat in Buildings Bill.They explore the Bill's key provisions, its impact on industry, the challenges it faces, and the importance of balancing climate goals with fuel poverty. The conversation also highlights the need for effective communication and public awareness regarding energy efficiency, as well as the diverse solutions required for different properties.The role of social landlords and the private rented sector in meeting energy efficiency standards is also examined, along with the pressing issue of energy costs.A transcript of this episode is available here: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/the-revised-heat-in-buildings-bill-with-gillian-campbell-and-ashley-campbell-podcast-transcript Jimmy Black has written a blog to accompany the episode here: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/blacks-blog-ave-atque-vale-patrick-you-triedChapters00:00 -Introduction to the Heat in Buildings Bill03:02 - Key Provisions and Objectives of the Bill06:08 - Impact on Industry and Investment08:51 - Challenges and Concerns with the Bill12:07 - Balancing Climate Goals and Fuel Poverty15:02 - Communication and Public Awareness17:56 - Diverse Solutions for Different Properties21:11 - Role of Social Landlords in Energy Efficiency24:11 - Private Rented Sector and Minimum Standards27:00 - Addressing Energy Costs and EfficiencyKieran Findlay is the editor of Scottish Housing News. Jimmy Black is a former Dundee housing convener and housing justice campaigner.Feedback on this episode and the podcast is welcome via our social media channels:⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/28156734/⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/ScotHousingNews⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/scottishhousingnews⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5ywXRXl40cxozNrBpReSTd⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/scottishhousingnews.com⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/ScotHousingNews⁠Read all our news and sign up for our free daily newsletter at ⁠⁠https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/

Kieran Findlay and Jimmy Black catch up with Martin Wilkie McFarlane, who shares insights from his experience with Wellhouse Housing Association during a critical period of regulatory intervention.The conversation explores the challenges faced by Wellhouse, the impact of regulatory actions, and the broader implications for the housing sector in Scotland.Martin reflects on his career in housing, the ongoing homelessness crisis, and his future plans after leaving Wellhouse.A transcript of this episode is available here: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/martin-wilkie-mcfarlane-on-wellhouse-regulatory-intervention-and-more-transcriptJimmy Black has written a blog to accompany the episode here: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/blacks-blog-my-fascinating-catch-up-with-martin-wilkie-mcfarlaneKieran Findlay is the editor of Scottish Housing News. Jimmy Black is a former Dundee housing convener and housing justice campaigner.Feedback on this episode and the podcast is welcome via our social media channels:⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/28156734/⁠https://x.com/ScotHousingNewshttps://www.instagram.com/scottishhousingnewshttps://open.spotify.com/show/5ywXRXl40cxozNrBpReSTdhttps://bsky.app/profile/scottishhousingnews.comhttps://www.facebook.com/ScotHousingNewsRead all our news and sign up for our free daily newsletter at ⁠https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/

“Compulsory purchase reform is absolutely critical because we do need a backstop if landowners aren't prepared to come to the table on reasonable terms.”In this episode, Kieran Findlay and Jimmy Black speak to two guests who have new proposals to help adequately house people living in rural areas.Hamish Trench is the chief executive and accountable officer of the Scottish Land Commission, which has just published a new report that outlines various proposals to increase the supply of developable land and therefore the supply of affordable homes in rural areas.And returning to the podcast is Ailsa Raeburn, chair of Community Land Scotland, which among other things has called for a Right to Live to be introduced to establish a legal right for people to live in the community where they grew up.This podcast episode discusses the pressing issue of rural housing in Scotland, focusing on the challenges faced by communities in securing affordable homes. The conversation highlights the 'Right to Live' proposal aimed at ensuring local residents have access to housing, the importance of land supply for development, and the need for coordinated efforts among public bodies to address the housing crisis.The guests emphasise the role of local authorities and the necessity of innovative solutions to support builders and developers in rural areas. The conversation delves into the pressing issues surrounding housing emergencies in Scotland, exploring the roles of compulsory purchase, taxation measures, and planning reforms.The speakers discuss innovative strategies for housing development, the impact of the closure of Rural Housing Scotland, and the need for long-term solutions to ensure sustainable community growth. They emphasise the importance of collaboration across government and the necessity of creative thinking to address the housing crisis effectively.A transcript of this episode is available here: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/rural-housing-public-land-acquisition-and-the-right-to-live-podcast-transcriptJimmy Black has written a blog to accompany the episode here: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/blacks-blog-more-equitable-land-ownership-can-put-future-of-rural-housing-on-solid-groundFurther reading:SHN report on the new report from the Scottish Land Commission -https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/strong-role-for-public-land-acquisition-to-tackle-rural-housing-crisis-finds-scottish-land-commissionLand supply for housing in rural  Scotland -http://scottishhousingnews.com/uploads/Land%20supply%20for%20housing%20in%20rural%20Scotland.pdf‘Right to live’ coverage on SHN -https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/tag/right-to-liveKieran Findlay is the editor of Scottish Housing News. Jimmy Black is a former Dundee housing convener and housing justice campaigner.Feedback on this episode and the podcast is welcome via our social media channels:⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/28156734/⁠https://x.com/ScotHousingNewshttps://www.instagram.com/scottishhousingnewshttps://open.spotify.com/show/5ywXRXl40cxozNrBpReSTdhttps://bsky.app/profile/scottishhousingnews.comhttps://www.facebook.com/ScotHousingNewsRead all our news and sign up for our free daily newsletter at⁠https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/

“We go into this project not looking for awards but it's good actually to recognise the contribution of our staff and it's also a good way for our suppliers and the other stakeholders in this to be recognised as well. So it's a win-win-win for customers, us and the contractors.” If you could cut your tenants’ heating bills by 80%, you would, wouldn’t you? That’s what River Clyde Homes think they’ve achieved at a multi-storey block with 91 flats on the wild and windy hill above Greenock. So Jimmy Black and Kieran Findlay got in the car and went to see chief executive Richard Turnock and head of energy & sustainability Duncan Smith, as well as Ryan Ferrier, design manager from Kier Construction, for a guided tour of their energy centre and the fabulously refurbished Prospecthill Court, which is now a very desirable multi. Jimmy Black has written a blog to accompany the episode ⁠here⁠: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/blacks-blog-prospecthill-court-shows-how-multis-can-be-desirable-places-to-live Kieran Findlay is the editor of Scottish Housing News. Jimmy Black is a former Dundee housing convener and housing justice campaigner. Feedback on this episode and the podcast is welcome via our social media channels: ⁠⁠https://twitter.com/ScotHousingNews⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/28156734/⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/ScotHousingNews⁠⁠ Read all our news and sign up for our free daily newsletter at ⁠⁠https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/⁠

“If we can get 90% of it right, I'd be delighted if somebody else came up with the other 10% and built on that. That's the history of social housing, right? Standing on the shoulders of giants and keeping getting better and better and better. We're just part of that chain.” Kieran Findlay and Jimmy Black wrap up their series on accessible housing with an exploration into what it takes to deliver a fully accessible home. Simon Fitzpatrick, the chief executive of Blackwood, shares the story behind a £17.5 million development that will bring 66 highly adapted, technologically advanced homes to the Charleston area of Dundee. Each of the homes is equipped with Blackwood's CleverCogs technology and there’s also some larger properties based on the Blackwood House design, both of which are explained in this episode. Recorded just days after the Housing & Social Care Accessibility Summit, the episode also includes discussions about the collaboration required to deliver a fully accessible development, measuring success and housing legacy. A transcript of this episode is available here: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/accessible-housing-part-4-podcast-transcript Jimmy Black has written a blog to accompany the episode here: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/blacks-blog-wheels-lifts-and-transformational-housing Kieran Findlay is the editor of Scottish Housing News. Jimmy Black is a former Dundee housing convener and housing justice campaigner. Feedback on this episode and the podcast is welcome via our social media channels: ⁠https://twitter.com/ScotHousingNews⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/28156734/⁠ ⁠https://www.facebook.com/ScotHousingNews⁠ Read all our news and sign up for our free daily newsletter at ⁠https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/

“Partnership work is about relationships, it's knowing people, it's understanding each of us have roles and responsibilities but keeping in mind what we're all trying to achieve at the end of the day and that's the outcomes for people that live in our communities to allow them to thrive and survive.” Continuing with their accessible housing series, Kieran Findlay and Jimmy Black focus on the link between housing and social care services with a look into a region where it is working really well. Jacquie Pepper, chief officer/director at the Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership and Elaine Ritchie, strategic lead for Housing & Communities at Perth & Kinross Council,  share how their Independent Living Panel serves as a forum for partnership working between housing, PKHSCP and other agencies, including RSLs and care providers. There’s a look into how Perth & Kinross has integrated technology into its social care services and why the Gannochy Trust estate provides an ideal development for care integration. The episode ends with a plea from Elaine Ritchie for the Scottish Government to reinvest in affordable housing to ease the current pressure on services and advance its own poverty agenda. Jacquie Pepper will join one of the panel sessions at the Housing & Social Care Accessibility Summit, which will take place at the V&A Dundee on September 26th. A transcript of this episode is available here: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/accessible-housing-part-3-podcast-transcript Jimmy Black has written a blog to accompany the episode here: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/blacks-blog-working-together-through-a-crisis-in-perth-kinross Kieran Findlay is the editor of Scottish Housing News. Jimmy Black is a former Dundee housing convener and housing justice campaigner. Feedback on this episode and the podcast is welcome via our social media channels: ⁠https://twitter.com/ScotHousingNews⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/28156734/⁠ ⁠https://www.facebook.com/ScotHousingNews⁠ Read all our news and sign up for our free daily newsletter at ⁠https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/

“If we don't grab and grab with both hands that prevention agenda, do more now, given we know what's coming our way from our demographics, then we are going to be in a much worse state than we are now in 10, 20 years time.” Kieran Findlay and Jimmy Black continue their exploration of the current issues surrounding social care and accessible housing with Angela Currie, the chief executive of Hanover Scotland. Angela talks about the difficulty in forging the cross-sector relationships required to deliver the level of service and quality of homes to its older residents, particularly with regard to procurement and strategic partnerships. We look ahead to the results of the Scottish Housing Accessibility Standard consultation and look back on the legacy of the late Julia Fitzpatrick. Hanover has recently come on board as a sponsor for the event, which will take place at the V&A Dundee on September 26th. A transcript of this episode is available here: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/accessible-housing-part-2-podcast-transcript Jimmy Black has written a blog to accompany the episode here: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/blacks-blog-ijbs-and-the-sword-of-damocles Further reading: The first part of our Accessible Housing series is available here: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/podcast-accessible-housing-part-1-with-pam-duncan-glancy-msp Kieran Findlay is the editor of Scottish Housing News. Jimmy Black is a former Dundee housing convener and housing justice campaigner. Feedback on this episode and the podcast is welcome via our social media channels: ⁠https://twitter.com/ScotHousingNews⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/28156734/⁠ ⁠https://www.facebook.com/ScotHousingNews⁠ Read all our news and sign up for our free daily newsletter at ⁠https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/

“You can't do all of the things that people take for granted if you can't get in and out of your house.” In the run-up to the Housing & Social Care Accessibility Summit in Dundee, Jimmy Black and Kieran Findlay discuss the practical housing issues often confronted by people with disabilities with the campaigning MSP Pam Duncan-Glancy. Pam, who represents a Glasgow regional seat and is deputy convener of the Cross Party Parliamentary Group on Disability, will chair a session at the event in September. The discussion touches on her role in a public consultation on accessible housing, which fed into a wider commission on housing, and the following conclusions of that report. They also speak about the wider benefits of people being able to live independently and how important it is that people with accessibility requirements are involved in these discussions. A transcript of this episode is available here. Jimmy Black has written a blog to accompany the episode here. Tickets for the Housing & Social Care Accessibility Summit are available here. Further reading: Euan's Guide Christie Commission on the future delivery of public services Kieran Findlay is the editor of Scottish Housing News. Jimmy Black is a former Dundee housing convener and housing justice campaigner. Feedback on this episode and the podcast is welcome via our social media channels: ⁠https://twitter.com/ScotHousingNews⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/28156734/⁠ ⁠https://www.facebook.com/ScotHousingNews⁠ Read all our news and sign up for our free daily newsletter at ⁠https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/

“We have a theory of change which demonstrates the changes we are hoping to see in people's lives that will ultimately help us achieve our vision of a world where everyone has an equal chance to create a safe and supportive place to call home.” Returning to the subject of homelessness, Kieran Findlay and Jimmy Black speak to two charities that between them have been operating in Scotland for almost 350 years. Helen Murdoch and Janet Haugh provide brief histories of their respective charities, The Salvation Army and Right There, before turning the focus to current challenges. We then discuss The Salvation Army’s Breaking the Cycle report, which recommends urgent collection of data on the number of people rough sleeping, along with cause-of-death data for anyone who dies while living in temporary accommodation, as well as the Right There Impact Report, which measured the saving to the public purse as a result of the support that it provides to people facing or experiencing homelessness. A transcript of this episode is available here: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/the-holistic-approach-to-homelessness-podcast-transcript Jimmy Black has written a blog to accompany the episode here: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/blacks-blog-space-time-empathy-and-practical-stuff-saves-cash Further reading: The Difference That Right There Makes: Social Return on Investment Approach Impact Evaluation Breaking the Cycle: Understanding the challenges in accessing wrap-around support for people experiencing homelessness in Scotland Kieran Findlay is the editor of Scottish Housing News. Jimmy Black is a former Dundee housing convener and housing justice campaigner. Feedback on this episode and the podcast is welcome via our social media channels: ⁠https://twitter.com/ScotHousingNews⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/28156734/⁠ ⁠https://www.facebook.com/ScotHousingNews⁠ Read all our news and sign up for our free daily newsletter at ⁠https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/

“In crisis situations, don't try and save face in front of us. Tell us the warts and all. Tell us the reality of the situation here. If we're going in with one hand tied behind our back, then it isn't going to end well.” In this episode of the Scottish Housing News Podcast, Kieran Findlay and Jimmy Black discuss the value of effective communications in the social housing sector with Sally Thomas, the chief executive at the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, and Chris Fairbairn, an associate director at public relations consultancy Holyrood PR. Social landlords have great stories to tell and its important to raise the reputation of your association and your work. But what about when things aren’t going so well? The increased expectations of social landlords today bring ever-heightened scrutiny, and couple that with a cost of living crisis and a housing emergency then communicating the right message to the right people is crucial. Listen to the guests share their insights on managing expectations against budget pressures, how landlords can recover their reputation amid a housing emergency and whether the ‘black arts’ are still practised by today’s PR companies. A transcript of this episode is available here: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/communications-during-a-crisis-podcast-transcript Jimmy Black has written a blog to accompany this episode here: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/blacks-blog-if-you-put-peoples-backs-up-they-go-to-the-papers Kieran Findlay is the editor of Scottish Housing News. Jimmy Black is a former Dundee housing convener and housing justice campaigner. Feedback on this episode and the podcast is welcome via our social media channels: ⁠https://twitter.com/ScotHousingNews⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/28156734/⁠ ⁠https://www.facebook.com/ScotHousingNews⁠ Read all our news and sign up for our free daily newsletter at ⁠https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/

Jimmy Black and Kieran Findlay conclude their series on the Scottish Government’s new Housing Bill with an interview with the minister responsible for bringing the legislation through Parliament, housing minister Paul McLennan. The wide-ranging discussion centred on measures in the proposed legislation such as rent controls, homelessness and domestic abuse. Mr McLennan also shared details of the first meeting of the Housing Investment Taskforce, which he described as one of many avenues the Scottish Government is looking to boost housebuilding. The minister also said he intends to share details on an action plan to tackle Scotland's housing emergency over the next few days after a Housing to 2040 strategy group meeting took place last week. A transcript of this episode is available here: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/housing-bill-part-4-paul-mclennan-podcast-transcript Jimmy Black has written a blog to accompany this episode here: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/blacks-blog-half-an-hour-with-the-housing-minister Catch up with the rest of the Housing Bill series here: Podcast: Housing Bill part 1: Rent controls and tenants’ rights with Dr John Boyle: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/podcast-housing-bill-part-1-rent-controls-and-tenants-rights-with-dr-john-boyle Podcast: Housing Bill part 2: Homelessness prevention duties with Ewan Aitken: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/podcast-housing-bill-part-2-homelessness-prevention-duties-with-ewan-aitken Podcast: Housing Bill part 3: Domestic abuse with Michelle Meldrum, Eileen McMullan and Sophie Berry: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/podcast-the-housing-bill-part-3-domestic-abuse-with-michelle-meldrum-eileen-mcmullan-and-sophie-berry For more information on SHN’s Housing & Social Care Accessibility Summit in partnership with Horizon Housing, click here: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/horizon-announces-summit-to-develop-solutions-for-accessible-housing-and-social-care-crisis Kieran Findlay is the editor of Scottish Housing News. Jimmy Black is a former Dundee housing convener and housing justice campaigner. Feedback on this episode and the podcast is welcome via our social media channels: ⁠https://twitter.com/ScotHousingNews⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/28156734/⁠ ⁠https://www.facebook.com/ScotHousingNews⁠ Read all our news and sign up for our free daily newsletter at ⁠https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/

Kieran Findlay and Jimmy Black continue their look into the new Housing Bill with a look at the duties expected of social landlords regarding domestic abuse. Under the proposed legislation, social landlords will have to provide support to tenants experiencing rent arrears or risk of homelessness due to domestic abuse, and to publish a policy on how it will exercise these functions. To help explore what a domestic abuse policy could entail, and the key role that social landlords could have in tackling the issue, the panel included Michelle Meldrum, the chief executive at Berwickshire Housing Association, Eileen McMullan, policy lead at the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, and returning to the podcast was Sophie Berry, a solicitor at Govan Law Centre. A transcript of this episode is available here: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/the-housing-bill-part-3-domestic-abuse-podcast-transcript Jimmy Black has written a blog to accompany the episode here: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/blacks-blog-violence-in-the-home Further reading: CIH Scotland and Scottish Women’s Aid ‘Policies Not Promises’ report: https://www.cih.org/media/znmnr0u2/policies-not-promises.pdf CIH Scotland domestic abuse knowledge hub: https://www.cih.org/knowledge-hub/tenancy-and-support/domestic-abuse Social landlords good practice guide: https://www.cih.org/media/krhfduto/guidance-for-social-landlords-domestic-abuse-cv19.pdf SafeLives knowledge hub: https://safelives.org.uk/knowledge-hub Kieran Findlay is the editor of Scottish Housing News. Jimmy Black is a former Dundee housing convener and housing justice campaigner. Feedback on this episode and the podcast is welcome via our social media channels: ⁠https://twitter.com/ScotHousingNews⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/28156734/⁠ ⁠https://www.facebook.com/ScotHousingNews⁠ Read all our news and sign up for our free daily newsletter at ⁠https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/

Kieran Findlay and Jimmy Black put the Holyrood turmoil to one side and continue their exploration of various elements of the Scottish Government’s new Housing Bill with a look at proposed new homelessness prevention measures. The legislation will introduce an ‘ask and act’ duty on social landlords and other bodies, such as health boards and the police, to ask about a person’s housing situation and take proactive steps to avoid them becoming homeless wherever possible. But what could these proactive steps involve, do the measures go far enough or are they asking too much of already stretched resources?  Ewan Aitken, the chief executive of homelessness charity Cyrenians, has the answers. Ewan co-chaired the Homelessness Prevention Task and Finish Group, on whose report, arguably, the homelessness elements of the new Housing Bill are based. A transcript of this episode is available here: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/housing-bill-part-2-homelessness-prevention-duties-podcast-transcript Jimmy Black has written a blog to accompany the episode here: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/blacks-blog-homelessness-how-to-ask-act Further reading: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/scottish-government-publishes-new-housing-bill Kieran Findlay is the editor of Scottish Housing News. Jimmy Black is a former Dundee housing convener and housing justice campaigner. Feedback on this episode and the podcast is welcome via our social media channels: ⁠https://twitter.com/ScotHousingNews⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/28156734/⁠ ⁠https://www.facebook.com/ScotHousingNews⁠ Read all our news and sign up for our free daily newsletter at ⁠https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/

With the long-awaited Housing Bill finally here, hosts Kieran Findlay and Jimmy Black will dedicate the next four episodes to digest various elements of the legislation, including homelessness and domestic abuse, culminating in an interview with housing minister Paul McLennan. But we begin the series with a discussion on increased rights for private tenants and, arguably the most contentious proposal, rent controls. In previous episodes, we’ve heard tenants' union Living Rent say rent controls are absolutely vital to keep rents affordable and prevent people being priced out from living in Scotland’s cities. We’ve also spoken to landlords who argue that the measures will see reduced investment and more landlords leaving the sector, leading to higher costs for tenants. To debate the merits of the Housing Bill and its impact on the private rented sector, Kieran Findlay and Jimmy Black speak to Dr John Boyle, the Director of Research & Strategy at Rettie. Professor Douglas Robertson also contributed to this episode, but we had audio issues and so we can’t use the recording. However, you can find Douglas’ spirited contribution in the transcript. A transcript of this episode is available here: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/housing-bill-part-1-rent-controls-and-tenants-rights-podcast-transcript Jimmy Black has written a blog to accompany the episode here: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/blacks-blog-rent-controls-mean-well-but-do-they-work Further reading: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/scottish-government-publishes-new-housing-bill https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/holyrood-committees-launch-joint-consultation-on-new-housing-bill Kieran Findlay is the editor of Scottish Housing News. Jimmy Black is a former Dundee housing convener and housing justice campaigner. Feedback on this episode and the podcast is welcome via our social media channels: ⁠https://twitter.com/ScotHousingNews⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/28156734/⁠ ⁠https://www.facebook.com/ScotHousingNews⁠ Read all our news and sign up for our free daily newsletter at ⁠https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/

"Technically heat networks aren't really difficult. It is just large-scale plumbing. The heat's already there, we're just moving it.” With the Scottish Government’s New Build Heat Standard now in force, the installation of ‘direct emission’ systems for heating for new build homes and other buildings is now banned in Scotland. Effectively, this means any new build applying for a building warrant will not be able to use polluting heating systems like oil and gas boilers and instead be powered by alternatives like heat pumps and heat networks. But, how do these clean heating systems operate? And is the industry prepared to meet the huge demand for skills that is coming its way? Eoghan Maguire is director of heat networks – Scotland at Vattenfall Heat UK, a company that has formed a joint venture with Midlothian Council to deliver low-carbon heating to thousands of homes, education and retail properties at the new town of Shawfair. Eoghan describes the challenges and benefits of incorporating the large-scale project, which he believes can be a catalyst for other heat networks across Scotland. A transcript of this episode is available here: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/shawfair-and-clean-heating-networks-with-eoghan-maguire-podcast-transcript Jimmy Black has written a blog to accompany the episode here: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/blacks-blog-shawfair-can-be-a-catalyst-for-large-scale-clean-heating Further reading: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/midlothian-council-and-vattenfall-form-joint-venture-to-deliver-low-carbon-heat-to-homes https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/first-pipes-installed-at-shawfair-lowcarbon-heating-project Kieran Findlay is the editor of Scottish Housing News. Jimmy Black is a former Dundee housing convener and housing justice campaigner. Feedback on this episode and the podcast is welcome via our social media channels: ⁠https://twitter.com/ScotHousingNews⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/28156734/⁠ ⁠https://www.facebook.com/ScotHousingNews⁠ Read all our news and sign up for our free daily newsletter at ⁠https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/

“If we have a choice between a tenant having their home flooded or having to put on an extra jumper, which would you recommend?” For anyone who has encountered architect Fionn Stevenson over her career, her answer to this question will be obvious. It forms part of her claim that a blanket one-size-fits-all fabric-first approach to retrofitting should make way for a considered make do and mend tactic, which considers and effectively measures the embodied carbon costs of building upgrades. According to Fionn, there is plenty low-hanging fruit such as roof and cavity wall insulation still available for housing providers without having to tackle the “expensive faff” of additional external wall insulation. A transcript of this episode is available here: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/why-fabric-first-may-be-the-wrong-approach-for-retrofitting-podcast-transcript Jimmy Black has written a blog to accompany the episode here: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/blacks-blog-make-do-and-mend Further reading: Housing Fit For Purpose: Performance, Feedback and Learning - https://www.routledge.com/Housing-Fit-For-Purpose-Performance-Feedback-and-Learning/Stevenson/p/book/9781859468241 LETI Climate Emergency Retrofit Guide - https://www.leti.uk/retrofit Fionn's LinkedIn post - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/fionn-stevenson-a3868720_retrofit-thinksmart-everypropertyisdifferent-activity-7149370404007006208-R9bo/ Kieran Findlay is the editor of Scottish Housing News. Jimmy Black is a former Dundee housing convener and housing justice campaigner. Feedback on this episode and the podcast is welcome via our social media channels: ⁠https://twitter.com/ScotHousingNews⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/28156734/⁠ ⁠https://www.facebook.com/ScotHousingNews⁠ Read all our news and sign up for our free daily newsletter at ⁠https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/

Almost a year since Scotland appointed its first dedicated housing minister, three councils have declared housing emergencies due to mounting pressures in their local housing systems and dozens of others could be set to follow. Now housing bodies across Scotland are making a concerted effort to say that it's not just individual regions that are struggling but that the entire country is in the midst of an emergency. But what is a housing emergency and why is a declaration important? Joining Kieran Findlay and Jimmy Black to discuss their respective situations and whether they think the Scottish Government is taking any notice are Councillor Jane Meagher, the City of Edinburgh Council's housing convener, and Councillor Allan Casey, the city convener for workforce homelessness and addiction services at Glasgow City Council. Jimmy Black has written a blog to accompany the episode here: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/blacks-blog-my-thoughts-on-housing-emergencies A transcription of this episode is available here: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/why-it-is-important-to-declare-a-housing-emergency-podcast-transcript Further reading: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/council-declares-housing-emergency-in-argyll-and-bute https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/partners-pledge-to-tackle-argyll-and-bute-housing-emergency https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/edinburgh-confirms-housing-emergency-declaration https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/housing-emergency-declared-in-glasgow https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/fife-council-on-brink-of-housing-emergency-declaration-amid-record-homelessness https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/edinburgh-agrees-action-plan-to-help-address-housing-emergency https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/cih-scotland-to-declare-a-scottish-housing-emergency-at-national-conference Kieran Findlay is the editor of Scottish Housing News. Jimmy Black is a former Dundee housing convener and housing justice campaigner. Feedback on this episode and the podcast is welcome via our social media channels: ⁠https://twitter.com/ScotHousingNews⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/28156734/⁠ ⁠https://www.facebook.com/ScotHousingNews⁠ Read all our news and sign up for our free daily newsletter at ⁠https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/

With the Tenant Protection Bill’s in-tenancy rent cap and eviction measures due to expire in a matter of weeks, the Scottish Government has proposed an adjudication scheme to ease the transition until a long-awaited Housing Bill comes to pass. Under the proposals, the process for rent adjudication will temporarily be modified from April 1st for one year. Any tenant who wishes to dispute a rent increase notice can apply to Rent Service Scotland or the First-tier Tribunal which will set a fair rent based on a taper formula set out in the new regulations. But with just weeks before its implementation, it seems neither tenants nor landlords are happy with this new arrangement. Jimmy Black and Kieran Findlay speak to Calum Sanderson, a member of the tenants’ union Living Rent, and Susan Aktemel, who founded the UK’s first social enterprise letting agency Homes for Good, to find out if there’s another way. Jimmy Black has written a blog to accompany the episode here: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/blacks-blog-prs-uncertainty-benefits-no-one Further reading: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/transitional-measures-proposed-as-private-rent-cap-ends Kieran Findlay is the editor of Scottish Housing News. Jimmy Black is a former Dundee housing convener and housing justice campaigner. Feedback on this episode and the podcast is welcome via our social media channels: ⁠https://twitter.com/ScotHousingNews⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/28156734/⁠ ⁠https://www.facebook.com/ScotHousingNews⁠ Read all our news and sign up for our free daily newsletter at ⁠https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/