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 at the Chartered Institute of Housing, and Jamie Ballantyne, social regeneration manager at Queens Cross Housing Association, share insights on community engagement, the impact of digital connectivity, and the significance of small gestures in building trust and cohesion within neighbourhoods.

The conversation emphasises the need for investment in social housing and the potential for positive change through community-driven initiatives.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Scottish Housing Day

02:49 The Importance of Neighbourliness

05:33 Community Engagement and Regeneration Projects

08:25 Building Trust and Connections

11:08 Addressing Anti-Social Behaviour

13:49 The Role of Housing Associations

16:28 Celebrating Community Initiatives

19:34 The Impact of Social Isolation

22:19 Measuring Success in Community Work

25:03 Challenges and Opportunities for Housing Associations

28:04 Fostering Pride in Communities

30:54 Conclusion and Neighbourly Gestures

Further reading:

Scottish Housing Day report: https://www.cih.org/publications/scottish-housing-day-report-everybody-needs-good-neighbours/

Queens Cross Housing Association Social Regeneration Impact Report: 2024/25: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/uploads/SR%20Impact%20Report%20and%20cover%20202425%20Final%20Draft%20V3.pdf 

Cedar mural design: https://www.qcha.org.uk/news/484-over-200-local-children-help-with-cedar-mural-design

A transcript of this episode is available here: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/scottish-housing-day-celebrating-good-neighbours-podcast-transcript

Jimmy Black has written a blog to accompany the episode here: 

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://www.linkedin.com/company/28156734/⁠

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Read all our news and sign up for our free daily newsletter at ⁠https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/

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 regions, the importance of community support, and the need for sustained funding from policymakers to effectively address housing issues. 

Success stories from both organisations illustrate the positive impact of their services on families and individuals in need.

Chapters

00:00

Introduction

02:54

Highland Housing Challenge

07:38

Housing First for Families initiative

13:42

Proactive tenancy sustainment services

17:53

Community benefits and Tenant Support Fund

19:44

Expansion of Housing First in Dumfries and Galloway

22:04

Support systems for homeless families

27:10

Common challenges in remote communities

30:24

The role of policymakers in housing solutions

35:17

Success stories: Transforming lives through support

A transcript of this episode is available here: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/tenancy-sustainment-podcast-transcript

Jimmy Black has written a blog to accompany the episode here:  https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/blacks-blog-avoiding-arrears-voids-relets-and-failure

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://www.linkedin.com/company/28156734/⁠

https://x.com/ScotHousingNews

https://www.instagram.com/scottishhousingnews

https://open.spotify.com/show/5ywXRXl40cxozNrBpReSTd

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Read all our news and sign up for our free daily newsletter at ⁠https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/

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 latest research from ISPA and the University of Stirling which has been commissioned by the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA), the Chartered Institute for Housing Scotland (CIH Scotland) and the Association of Local Authority Chief Housing Officers (ALACHO).

Highlighting the urgent need for policy reform to support independent living and future-proof housing stock, the episode also explores the importance of timely and appropriate adaptations, challenges in the current adaptation system, the role of housing associations and local authorities, and the impact of adaptations on health and social care.

Resources:

‘What’s next for adaptations?’ full report - https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/uploads/SFHA%20-%20ISPA%20What%27s%20Next%20for%20Adaptations%20-%20Full.pdf

‘What’s next for adaptations?’ executive summary - https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/uploads/SFHA%20-%20ISPA%20What%27s%20Next%20for%20Adaptations%20-%20Summary%20DIGITAL.pdf

‘Road to 2026: Homes Fit for the Future’ report - https://www.sfha.co.uk/sites/default/files/2025-07/PDF%20-%20Road%20to%202026%2C%20Homes%20Fit%20for%20the%20Future.pdf

Don't forget to subscribe and share the podcast. Visit our website for more insights and resources.

A transcript of this episode is available here: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/whats-next-for-adaptations-podcast-transcript

Jimmy Black has written a blog to accompany the episode here: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/blacks-blog-adapt-and-thrive

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://www.linkedin.com/company/28156734/⁠

https://x.com/ScotHousingNews

https://www.instagram.com/scottishhousingnews

https://open.spotify.com/show/5ywXRXl40cxozNrBpReSTd

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Read all our news and sign up for our free daily newsletter at ⁠https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/

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 and join the conversation by visiting Cohousing Scotland's website and engaging with their online community.

https://cohousing.scot/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0hUoRAykGtHzsA1Jikeruw

https://www.facebook.com/cohousingscotland

A transcript of this episode is available here: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/cohousing-transcript

Kieran Findlay is the editor of Scottish Housing News.

Feedback on this episode and the podcast is welcome via our social media channels:

⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/28156734/⁠⁠

⁠https://x.com/ScotHousingNews⁠

⁠https://www.instagram.com/scottishhousingnews⁠

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Read all our news and sign up for our free daily newsletter at ⁠⁠https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/

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 manager, believe that not all RSLs are ready for the change.

With backgrounds in housing, compliance, and environmental monitoring, they bring a unique perspective to this field and raise an important question: if the problem is now clearly the landlord’s to solve, is it still possible — and appropriate — to talk about tenant behaviour?

A transcript of this episode is available here: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/damp-mould-and-tenant-behaviour-podcast-transcript

Jimmy Black has written a blog to accompany the episode here: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/blacks-blog-data-beats-damp

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://www.linkedin.com/company/28156734/⁠

https://x.com/ScotHousingNews

https://www.instagram.com/scottishhousingnews

https://open.spotify.com/show/5ywXRXl40cxozNrBpReSTd

https://bsky.app/profile/scottishhousingnews.com

https://www.facebook.com/ScotHousingNews

Read all our news and sign up for our free daily newsletter at ⁠https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/

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 highlights the need for innovative financial models, regulatory frameworks, and technical solutions to address the pressing issues of energy efficiency and climate resilience in Scotland's housing stock.

Josiah Lockhart is the chief executive of Changeworks, one of Scotland’s leading environmental charities driving low-carbon living and retrofit innovation. Mike Heffron is the chief executive of Under One Roof Scotland, the national information service for tenement owners tackling common repair and maintenance. Chris Carus is co-founder and executive officer of Loco Home Retrofit CIC, a social enterprise empowering communities to take climate action through home retrofit.

Jimmy Black has written a blog to accompany the episode here: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/blacks-blog-we-need-to-talk-about-tenement-retrofit-and-heat-networks

Related links

General info: underoneroof.scot

Guidance for owners on the installation of solar panels, heat pumps or insulation in common parts of tenements in Scotland: https://underoneroof.scot/local-energy-scotland-partners-with-harper-macleod-under-one-roof-and-loco-homes-on-new-retrofit-guidance/

Retrofit for factors toolkit: https://underoneroof.scot/new-toolkit-available-factoring-in-tenement-retrofit/

Whole Tenement Retrofit feasibility study Loco Homes and Under One Roof: https://underoneroof.scot/what-will-new-heat-in-buildings-bill-mean-for-homeowners-whole-tenement-retrofit-feasibility-study-finds-out/out/

Loco Home - New Report: Whole Tenement Retrofit Feasibility Study: https://locohome.coop/2024/10/our-new-report-whole-tenement-retrofit-case-study/

Living Rent report critical of Edinburgh's Lochend council flat retrofit project: https://www.livingrent.org/lochend_mtis_a_retrofit_case_study and https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/melissa-esquerre-a-personal-account-of-edinburghs-dystopian-mandatory-retrofit-scheme

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to tenements in Scotland

02:59 Challenges of retrofitting tenements

05:50 Community and ownership dynamics

09:01 Barriers to decarbonisation

11:54 Case studies and real-world examples

15:03 Legal and regulatory frameworks

17:48 Future directions and innovations

21:04 Community engagement and support

23:56 Financial models and investment

26:55 Technical solutions and heat pumps

29:47 Conclusion and next steps

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://www.linkedin.com/company/28156734/⁠

https://x.com/ScotHousingNews

https://www.instagram.com/scottishhousingnews

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Read all our news and sign up for our free daily newsletter at ⁠https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/

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-transcipt

Jimmy Black has written a blog to accompany the episode here: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/blacks-blog-i-was-aghast

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Housing Challenges in Scotland

03:02 Understanding the Housing Emergency

05:55 The Right to Buy and Its Implications

09:12 The Need for Increased Social Housing

12:03 Housing as a Merit Good and Economic Impact

15:00 The Role of Government in Housing Policy

17:56 Housing and Economic Growth

20:49 Productivity and Housing Quality

24:07 The Importance of Location in Housing

26:57 Challenges in Rural Housing Markets

29:52 The Future of Housing Policy in Scotland

33:04 Rent Control and Investment Concerns

36:00 The Need for Disruption in Housing Policy

38:48 Conclusion and Future Directions

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://www.linkedin.com/company/28156734/⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/ScotHousingNews⁠⁠⁠

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⁠⁠⁠https://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-transcript

Jimmy Black has written a blog to accompany the episode here: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/blacks-blog-do-your-job-by-law

Chapters

00:00

Introduction to the Housing Scotland Bill

03:09

Key Amendments and Their Implications

05:48

The Role of Local Authorities in Homelessness Prevention

09:01

Challenges in Implementation and Resource Allocation

11:52

The Importance of Collaboration and Data Sharing

15:10

Addressing Domestic Abuse in Housing Policy

18:02

The Carrot vs. Stick Debate in Housing Legislation

20:46

Future Directions and Key Amendments Needed

24:08

Conclusion and Next Steps

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://www.linkedin.com/company/28156734/⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠https://x.com/ScotHousingNews⁠⁠

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Read 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-tried

Chapters

00:00 -Introduction to the Heat in Buildings Bill
03:02 - Key Provisions and Objectives of the Bill
06:08 - Impact on Industry and Investment
08:51 - Challenges and Concerns with the Bill
12:07 - Balancing Climate Goals and Fuel Poverty
15:02 - Communication and Public Awareness
17:56 - Diverse Solutions for Different Properties
21:11 - Role of Social Landlords in Energy Efficiency
24:11 - Private Rented Sector and Minimum Standards
27:00 - Addressing Energy Costs and Efficiency

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://www.linkedin.com/company/28156734/⁠⁠

⁠https://x.com/ScotHousingNews⁠

⁠https://www.instagram.com/scottishhousingnews⁠

⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5ywXRXl40cxozNrBpReSTd⁠

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Read 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-transcript

Jimmy Black has written a blog to accompany the episode here: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/blacks-blog-my-fascinating-catch-up-with-martin-wilkie-mcfarlane

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://www.linkedin.com/company/28156734/⁠

https://x.com/ScotHousingNews

https://www.instagram.com/scottishhousingnews

https://open.spotify.com/show/5ywXRXl40cxozNrBpReSTd

https://bsky.app/profile/scottishhousingnews.com

https://www.facebook.com/ScotHousingNews

Read all our news and sign up for our free daily newsletter at ⁠https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/