Looking forward with optimism

As we head into Christmas, this time of the year is often a time to reflect on past challenges and look to the future. And I’m pleased to say that for the first time in many years we’ve seen a Scottish Budget which means the social housing sector can look to the year ahead with some optimism.   

One good Budget is, of course, not a silver bullet - no single Budget was ever going to end the housing emergency.  That said, the restoration of the Affordable Housing Supply Programme funding is something we hugely welcome. It is a result of concerted campaigning from SFHA and partners which would not have been possible without the input of all our members. Should the budget pass through Parliament, this means more funding for our housing associations to deliver the social homes communities across Scotland so desperately need. It also signals a welcome shift in tone from the Scottish Government about how it views housing as a crucial lever for economic growth and - as mentioned by the Cabinet Secretary in her statement to Parliament - key to tackling child poverty.  The Scottish Government now needs to build on this Budget: if it is to be the welcome reset the social housing sector has urgently called for, then we need to see a commitment to multi-year funding next year.  

Another welcome result was a substantial increase in funding for aids and adaptations, following the significant cuts to allocations many housing associations faced this year. With the support of our members, we made concerted efforts to demonstrate to Scottish Government why they must quickly and substantially increase this vital funding. It is heartening then that the budget will now rise from £8.25million this year to £20.9million - this will be transformational for tenants who need adaptations to live comfortably and successfully in their homes. It is also another example of where investment in housing reduces public spending in other areas: accessible and adapted homes make hospital admissions and discharge much less likely.    

This was a very different budget – with a very different tone - to the end of last year. And it does feel tentatively hopeful that we’re turning a corner, with the recognition that social and affordable homes are crucial if we want to see Scotland’s people and economy flourish.  

While there are still many and various problems to address and overcome, the social housing sector is undoubtedly ending the year in a much better place than where we started. Thank you to everyone who’s contributed in some way to our work this year, not least our members who drive all of this forward, whether by providing insights and evidence or by doing absolutely vital work every hour of every day to support so many people and communities in Scotland.   Let’s start 2025 as we mean to go on – with optimism, hope and determination to do the best we can for those who need it most. 

From all of us at SFHA, very best wishes for the festive period.  

Sally