The Scottish Housing News Podcast

Discover how social housing providers are embracing responsible pet ownership through an innovative initiative from the Dogs Trust. This episode features insights from the charity's Pet‑Friendly Housing Lead Jennifer Leonard and Angus Housing Association’s Director of Housing Services Linlay Anderson on making housing more accommodating for pets while safeguarding property and community wellbe...

Gregor Morrison, national contractor manager at Aico and Bob Cairney, director of technical services at SELECT, offer a practical and Scottish-specific perspective on how the new duties around damp and mould will work on the ground. Gregor brings insight from Aico’s work as a market leader in home life safety systems and environmental monitoring, including live Scottish deployments. Bob offers the...

"The planets are starting to align for change." In this episode of the Scottish Housing News podcast, Kieran Findlay and Jimmy Black discuss the urgent need for accessible housing in Scotland with Michael Driscoll, Chair of the Scottish Accessible Housing Network and CEO of Horizon Housing, and Jill Pritchard, Horizon’s Chair and a leading voice in inclusive design. They explore the role...

In this episode of the Scottish Housing News Podcast, hosts Kieran Finlay and Jimmy Black discuss the pressing issue of tenement repairs in Scotland, focusing on the recent recommendations from the Scottish Law Commission regarding compulsory owners' associations and building reserve funds. Guests Mike Heffron, chief executive of Under One Roof Scotland and Gillian Campbell from Gillian Campbe...

In this episode, Kieran Findlay and Jimmy Black explore one of the most urgent and least‑acknowledged dimensions of Scotland’s housing emergency: the disproportionate impact on Black people and people of colour. A new report from Shelter Scotland and the Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights (CRER) reveals that systemic racism is shaping who gets help, who is turned away, and who waits the long...

"All of the evidence tells us that housing associations make Scotland healthier, wealthier and fairer" - Jen Gracie As Scotland faces a housing emergency in an election year, the conversation around housing policy has never been more crucial. In this edition, Kieran Findlay and Jimmy Black engage with Jen Gracie, public affairs and media manager at the Scottish Federation of Housing Asso...

This episode delves into the complexities of mixed tenure housing in Scotland, focusing on the challenges faced by social landlords in maintaining properties that include both social and private housing. Audrey Murphy, interim director at Abronhill Housing Association, and Professor Douglas Robertson discuss the implications of fragmented ownership, the limitations of current legislation, and the...

In this episode of the Scottish Housing News Podcast, Kieran Findlay and Jimmy Black discuss the theme of 'Everybody Needs Good Neighbours' for Scottish Housing Day. They explore the importance of community and neighbourliness, the role of housing associations in fostering social connections, and the challenges of social isolation. Guests Callum Chomczuk, the national director for Scotland...

In this episode, Kieran Findlay and Jimmy Black discuss the pressing issue of homelessness with Maureen Knight from Albyn Housing Society and Pamela Forrest from Riverside Scotland. They explore innovative strategies to prevent homelessness, focusing on proactive tenancy sustainment and the Housing First for Families initiative. The conversation highlights the unique challenges faced in different...

Join hosts Kieran Findlay and Jimmy Black as they delve into the complexities of housing adaptations in Scotland. Featuring insights from Professor Vikki McCall from the University of Stirling and SFHA policy manager Susie Fitton, this episode explores the challenges and opportunities in adapting homes for an ageing population. Discover findings from the ‘What’s Next For Adaptations?’ report, the...

Host Kieran Findlay delves into the world of cohousing with guests Tom Morton, convener of Cohousing Scotland, and Jenny Rambridge, a founding member of Hope Cohousing.  Discover how cohousing fosters supportive communities, addresses housing challenges, and promotes sustainability, but also hear about the challenges and barriers in implementing the model in Scotland. Explore more about cohousing...

For this episode of the Scottish Housing News Podcast, Kieran Findlay and Jimmy Black discuss the pressing issues of damp and mould in housing, focusing on the new Awaab’s Law legislation that mandates social landlords to address health hazards within strict timelines. Kerry Brown, co-founder and director of Alator Data Services, and Patrick McRedmond, the company’s technical product support manag...

In this episode of the Scottish Housing News podcast, hosts Kieran Findlay and Jimmy Black discuss the complexities of retrofitting tenement buildings in Scotland with experts Josiah Lockhart, Mike Heffron, and Chris Carus. They explore the unique challenges posed by the ownership structures of tenements, the barriers to decarbonisation, and the importance of community engagement. The conversation...

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 qua...

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...

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....

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,...

“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, wh...

“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’v...

“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...

“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 fo...

“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 o...

“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 i...

“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 a...

“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 Sa...