Cabinet Secretary for Communities confirmed for SFHA’s Poverty and Inequality Conference

Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Local Government Aileen Campbell MSP will address delegates during the opening session of the second conference is SFHA's Housing Now, Housing's Future event series which focuses on poverty and inequality.
 
At the event on 18 February, the Cabinet Secretary will discuss the work of the Social Renewal Advisory Board (SRAB) which was set up to make recommendations for delivering transformational change as Scotland embarks on its journey of renewal after the pandemic. Last month, the SRAB published a report which made 20 calls to action, and Ms Campbell will discuss the next steps for the government regarding these recommendations. The session will also feature SFHA Chief Executive Sally Thomas and Crisis Chief Executive Jon Sparkes who were Joint Chairs of the Editorial Sub-Group for the report.

SFHA's Poverty and Inequality Conference is for senior staff and board members but also has sessions for staff working in housing management, tenancy sustainment, homelessness, fuel poverty and financial inclusion.

Delegates will hear from the Scottish Government regarding some of its recent funding for housing associations, such as the Homelessness Prevention Fund and the Supporting Communities Fund, and how SFHA members have used it.

CIH Scotland and Scottish Women’s Aid will discuss their report on improving housing outcomes for women and children experiencing domestic abuse. This session will provide an overview of the report’s findings and look at how SFHA will work with partners to support members to implement the recommendations. It will also discuss the Domestic Abuse Scotland Bill which, if it passes, would see a new power for RSLs to transfer a Scottish Secured Tenancy from the perpetrator to the victim in the case of domestic abuse.

Housing Now, Housing's Future strategic event series

SFHA has created Housing Now, Housing's Future, a series of high-level virtual events for senior staff and governing body members which will ensure our sector continues to thrive and remains resilient. 

Each event will feature keynote addresses, panel debates and group discussions, covering the most pressing challenges for the social housing sector in 2021 and beyond.

The events will feature speakers from the government as well as the third, public, private and housing sectors, including housing colleagues from across the world. It will take place over the following days with on-demand access for three months:

18 February: Poverty and Inequality
25 February: Digital Empowerment and Leadership
4 March: Our Sector, Our People