Housing Scotland digital magazine: spring 2021

Restarting Housing Scotland in a digital format 

Last year, due to the coronavirus pandemic, SFHA decided to pause its print magazine, Housing Scotland. After releasing a special edition last summer which looked at the first lockdown, SFHA has now decided to restart its quarterly editions of Housing Scotland in a digital format. This format allows for increased interactivity and engagement for readers as you can read an article and then click on a related document, report or video within the piece.  

What’s in this issue? 

• In March, the Scottish Government released its long-awaited blueprint for the next 20 years of housing. Read SFHA Chief Executive Sally Thomas’ article on what the Housing to 2040 strategy proposals could mean for the social housing sector.  

• With Scotland heading to the polls on 6 May, we have an election focus in this edition. You can read about SFHA’s election campaign, Housing Changes Lives, which is highlighting our key asks as well as the impact that housing associations’ and co-operatives' homes and services have on their tenants and customers. Scotland’s five main political parties also detail how they believe their policies could benefit our sector.   

• Earlier this year, MSPs voted unanimously to pass the Domestic Abuse (Protection) (Scotland) Bill which gives social landlords the power to end or transfer the tenancy of a perpetrator of domestic abuse to the victim. Find out more from SFHA Senior Policy Manager Stacey Dingwall about how this new legislation will affect your organisation and how SFHA will support you with its implementation. 

• More than a year on from the first UK-wide Covid-19 lockdown, we have all, no doubt, learnt numerous lessons. Four SFHA members reflect on a year of running their organisations during a global pandemic and how it’s affected their working practices.  

• SFHA member Bield has reached its milestone 50th anniversary. The organisation looks back at its 50-year history, including the challenges, highlights and many changes that it has seen during this period. 

Share your thoughts 

Over the summer, SFHA will be working on developing the magazine further, and there will be opportunities for members to get involved in this. If you would be interested in taking part in short virtual focus groups, please contact Communications Manager Kirsten Walker by emailing kwalker@sfha.co.uk 

In the meantime, please do complete the short survey that accompanies this edition and share your thoughts with SFHA.