Annual Conference celebrates 50 years of SFHA as housing takes centre stage

It was a timely moment for SFHA’s Annual Conference, as housing became a key focus for governments north and south of the border.

Delegates from across the sector came together to celebrate 50 years of SFHA, and many of Scotland’s housing associations, at the event in Glasgow this week.

After the Conference was opened by SFHA Chief Executive Sally Thomas on Tuesday, we heard directly from First Minister, John Swinney MSP, about the Scottish Government’s vision for housing. 

This preceded an announcement from him on Wednesday that housing would be placed at the heart of the Scottish Government with a Cabinet Secretary position which will be taken up by Màiri McAllan MSP.

It also came after the UK Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review set out a record £39billion funding package for housing in England over a 10-year period, prompting SFHA to call for a similar long-term settlement for housing in Scotland.

As delegates reflected on the past 50 years of the social housing sector, there was also an insightful session from the renowned broadcaster Kirsty Wark, as well as a session featuring former SFHA Chief Executives David Orr CBE and Mary Taylor and former Link Group Chief Executive Craig Sanderson.

There were also range of breakout sessions covering key issues facing Scotland’s housing associations and co-operatives and plenary sessions exploring what housing may look like over the next 50 years too.

In a nod to the future, Ben Keenan from Pineview Housing Association was also announced as the winner of SFHA's NextGen award recognising emerging talent and future leaders from across Scotland's housing sector.

The Conference was rounded off by SFHA Chief Executive Sally Thomas who paid tribute to the tireless work housing associations and co-operatives do for tenants and communities throughout Scotland each and every day.