Scottish Housing Matters - Spring 2015

SCOTTISH HOUSING MATTERS

NUMBER: 69 SPRING 2015

CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF HOUSING SCOTLAND

CELEBRATING EXCELLENCE WHO WERE THE WINNERS AT THE ANNUAL CELEBRATION OF SCOTTISH HOUSING?

TIME FOR A DEBATE ON SCOTTISH COUNCIL RENTS?/ MEET GERRY MORE – PRS CHAMPION / TIGH GRIAN VOLUMETRIC SUSTAINABLE HOUSING

Scottish Housing Matters | 1

IN ISSUE 69 Time for a debate on Scottish council rents?

CIH SCOTLAND EXCELLENCE AWARDS

10-11 INTRODUCING ANNIE MAUGER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CIH NATIONAL BUSINESS UNITS 2015 WESTMINSTER ELECTIONS AND WHAT THIS MEANS FOR SCOTLAND AND HOUSING IN SCOTLAND HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE INTEGRATION – A HOUSING PERSPECTIVE SCOTLAND STANDS APART FROM ENGLAND ON HOMELESSNESS AND WAITING LISTS

12-15 5 6 8 16

UPDATE ON THE HOUSING (SCOTLAND) ACT 2014

18

GRAINIA LONG REFLECTS ON HER TIME AT CIH

19

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MALCOM SMITH AWARD WINNER ‘14

20-21

Tigh Grian volumetric sustainable housing

Meet Gerry More – PRS champion

24-25

36-37 CONTACT: If you are interested in

REGULATOR PUBLISHES ITS FIRST NATIONAL REPORT ON THE CHARTER MAKING THE STEP UP TO SCRUTINY

22 26

contributing an article, please contact editor Annie Mauger annie.mauger@cih.org or 0131 225 4544 ADVERTISE WITH US: To advertise in Scottish Housing Matters please contact John McClarey at john.mcclarey@cih.org or

HOUSING AND REGENERATION PROGRAMMES (HARP)

29

POLICY ROUND-UP

30

0131 225 4544 DISCLAIMER: The views expressed by contributors in Scottish Housing Matters are not necessarily those of the Chartered Institute of Housing or the editor and should

TRAINING & EDUCATION UPDATE

33

REFORM, RISK AND RESILIENCE

34

SOCIAL ENTERPRISE – SHARING THE LEARNING!

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not be taken as representative of any of the above.

CIH Scotland, 4th floor, 125 Princes Street, Edinburgh, EH2 4AD 0131 225 4544 scotland.policy@cih.org

Scottish Housing Matters | 3

A WORD FROM THE CHAIR

Over the past few months however, I have been very encouraged by what the Scottish Government has initiated, getting all the major interests in housing in Scotland together to discuss a new joint housing delivery plan. While not yet complete it has the promise of improving the focus on resolving some of the deep seated problems facing the country, addressing the housing crisis being felt by so many today.

However, no matter which UK Government is elected in May, the Board and staff of CIH in Scotland remain determined to push for solutions towards our ambition for a housing system which works for everyone.

WELCOME TO THIS SPRING ISSUE OF SCOTTISH HOUSING MATTERS I am writing this at the end of January, just after the announcement on the new powers to be devolved to Scotland. We in the housing world can look upon this as an opportunity to improve the way the UK and Scottish governments work together, with draft legislation which offers new powers and flexibility on welfare payments, including the bedroom tax and how universal credit is applied. There is however still much “devil in the detail” to ensure these new powers will improve the circumstances of the most vulnerable in our communities and a legislative process to go through to ensure they become real.

It is also about half way between the results of the referendum and the next UK elections. This is a very “betwixt and between” time – with the election in May probably being the hardest to call in all our lifetimes. There are so many different potential outcomes (most of which are variations on a coalition theme), all having a significant bearing on what this could mean for housing and the services we all provide.

4 | Scottish Housing Matters

Our new executive director for the CIH national business units, Annie Mauger, has now joined us. Those of you attending the CIH Scotland Annual Conference will have the opportunity to meet her and all the CIH Scotland staff team in what promises to be a stimulating event as we discuss and debate the question “what will tomorrow bring?”

I hope you enjoy reading the many varied articles in this edition. You will have noticed that the last Winter edition was sent out in digital format only. Your feedback on this approach is very welcome – let us know whether you like it and particularly if you can highlight how it can be improved in future.

And finally, I look forward to seeing you in Glasgow at the annual conference in March. There is a great range of speakers, exhibitors and opportunities for you to be stimulated about good practice in all aspects of the work we do.

Keith Anderson CIH Scotland chair

INTRODUCING ANNIE I’m delighted to be

Scotland, and then ran a regional government-funded

joining CIH and returning

body in Yorkshire that was also a charity. I then became

to Scotland. It’s a really

chief executive of a charity for asylum seekers and

exciting time, because the

refugees which really opened my eyes to issues of housing,

political changes create a

homelessness and destitution, which I care passionately

real opportunity to ensure

about. I have worked with the UK Government in policy

that the voice of housing

and lobbying for several years and look forward to

is heard loud and clear in

working with MSPs and officials at Holyrood.

policy formation. There has also been a lot of change for

My first priority will be learning more from colleagues

CIH and it’s my job to ensure that members in Scotland,

running organisations and on the frontline, so I can

Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland get

represent you better. I’m very much looking forward to

the best possible services.

working with the skilled team at CIH and building a great future for the profession in Scotland, Wales, Northern

I’m not from a housing background so I have a lot to learn.

Ireland the Republic of Ireland.

But I have been running a professional body across the UK and I understand the importance of promoting the value

I look forward to meeting many of you at CIH Scotland’s

of what members do and keeping a constant watch on

annual conference and visiting you soon.

changes in the wider environment that affect our working lives. We must ensure that our services continue to be

Annie Mauger

relevant and valuable and that we have a stronger voice by

Executive director, CIH national business units

attracting more people to be part of the CIH community.

Previously I’ve worked in local authorities, mostly in

Scottish Housing Matters | 5

WRITTEN BY GAVIN SMART, INTERIM CHIEF EXECUTIVE, CIH

WHAT WILL THE 2015 GENERAL ELECTION MEAN FOR SCOTLAND? Since the original devolution settlement housing policy in Scotland has taken its own unique form, reflecting the needs of Scottish housing and the priorities of Scottish political leaders.

All the indications are that

– and rightly so. Anything else would not have made sense

this is going to be perhaps

in a devolved world.

the most hotly contested election for a generation,

There is no reason not to expect this pattern to continue.

with all the pollsters

Indeed the post-Smith Commission process suggests even

agreeing the result is too

greater freedom of action for Scottish political leaders and

close to call and a hung

policy makers across a wider palate of policy areas such

parliament the most likely

as welfare and taxation. And on that basis one could be

result. The precise final electoral arithmetic could produce

forgiven for dismissing the UK general election as irrelevant

some very different governments and perhaps some very

to housing in Scotland.

different policy choices.

But, of course, that isn’t the whole picture. Decisions taken So on one level this is a critically important election, but

on English housing policy can have important consequential

with housing a devolved issue how much difference will all

implications for Scottish housing policy or the resources

of this make to housing and housing policy in Scotland?

available to it; for example the creation of the housing guarantee funds in England led to additional funding for

Scottish solutions for Scottish problems have resulted in

housing in Scotland and the availability of some additional

some very different approaches to homelessness, the right

equity finance (via Barnett consequentials). And despite

to buy, regulation and investment in local authority housing

increased financial freedoms the Scottish Government

6 | Scottish Housing Matters

looks set to continue to operate within an overall financial

So although Scotland enjoys much freedom in the detail

framework set by the UK Government, placing inevitable

of its housing policy choices some important levers remain

limitations on the amount of money available for housing.

out of reach and under the control of Westminster. For that reason alone the outcome of the UK general election will

Neither is regulation of banks and other financial

be of critical importance to the Scottish housing system

institutions devolved – they continue to operate under

and to Scottish housing professionals.

the regimes run by the Bank of England and the Financial Conduct Authority. The recent Mortgage Market Review

So how should housing in Scotland respond? In my view

made important changes to the way in which households

it is crucial that we make our voices heard, to remind

and other buyers can access mortgage finance with all of

politicians that across the UK our housing systems are not

this happening under the watch of the non-devolved

working as we need them to. Too many people are unable

HM Treasury.

to access a home that is decent, affordable and suitable for their needs, and we don’t offer enough choice for people

The Scottish housing market and housing outcomes will

of different means at different stages in life. We should and

always be highly influenced by the general thrust of UK

we can do better. The 2015 general election provides us

economic policy and the decisions on fiscal policy by a Bank

with an important opportunity to remind politicians and the

of England whose mandate and targets continue to be set

electorate that good housing is important and achievable.

by the UK Government.

We must seize that opportunity in Scotland and in the rest of the UK.

Scottish Housing Matters | 7

WRITTEN BY KENNY SIMPSON, JIT ACTION GROUP MEMBER

HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE INTEGRATION A HOUSING PERSPECTIVE In “Achieving sustainable quality in Scotland’s health care: a 20:20 vision”, published in 2011, the Scottish Government was explicit in its goal that everyone is able to “live longer healthier lives at home or in a homely setting”.

The government set out its aspiration in the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014: “People including those with disabilities, long term conditions, or who are frail are able to live as far as reasonably practical independently at home or in a homely setting.”

8 | Scottish Housing Matters

The strategic commissioning plans guidance issued in

authority housing practitioners has shown that for a

December 2014 states:

minority of them it can be difficult to get a seat at the strategic planning table. However every respondent to

“The housing sector already makes a very significant

our survey (60% of councils replied) answered ‘yes’ to the

contribution to national outcomes on health and social

question about their awareness of the strategic planning

wellbeing. . . the integration of adult health and social care

process with the majority saying that they are directly

is recognised as bringing opportunities to strengthen the

involved in the process.

connection between housing and health and social care. . . to support the shift to prevention.”

The JIT survey also indicated that there is scope to have RSLs involved much more by utilising the existing local

Housing practitioners have long recognised the importance

housing partnership or local housing strategy forums.

of home or place in helping to ensure people’s health and

One respondent said that as RSLs are excluded for

wellbeing. We know that poor or inappropriate housing can

integration of adaptations funding then this could mean

lead to poor health. A recent Joint Improvement Team (JIT)

less engagement. Another council said that they are in

survey of local authority housing practitioners highlighted a

the process of recruiting RSL members onto the strategic

range of issues and needs that need wider consideration as

planning group.

the new health and social care partnerships are developing.

Some of the results from the survey are included here.

When are the changes taking place?

Which housing functions are to be delegated?

The JIT survey told us that one third of partnerships are

From April 2016 a range of health and social care functions

planning to integrate council house and private sector

will be delegated to new integrated authorities. At least £7

adaptations. Twenty-five per cent of partnerships said that

billion of the current £12 billion spent on health and social

only the housing functions ‘must’ be integrated at this

care will be delegated to the new health and social

stage. Some councils are still working out what housing

care partnerships.

functions should be integrated, while others highlight concerns that these changes may have a detrimental

Health boards and local authorities will be working on

impact on an aids/adaptations service that currently works

their strategic commissioning plans this year with a view

very well. Some have indicated that they will be reviewing

to implementation starting no later than April 2016. These

whether other housing functions might be integrated over

plans will show how the new partnerships will deliver

time, and one stock transfer council says that homelessness

services and how they intend to work towards meeting the

functions will be integrated along with the other functions

nine national health and wellbeing outcomes.

that ‘must’ be integrated.

Strategic and locality planning

The challenge for all housing bodies will be to ensure that

The Act stipulates that non-commercial providers of

their commitment to contribute is effectively articulated,

housing should be involved in producing the plan. For

communicated and understood by the new integrated

registered social landlords (RSLs) who wish to engage

authorities.

and contribute during the planning process there should be an opportunity to be involved via the locality planning arrangements. Each authority should have a minimum of two locality planning groups. The JIT survey of local

Scottish Housing Matters | 9

WRITTEN BY JIM HAYTON – POLICY MANAGER ALACHO

TIME FOR A DEBATE ON SCOTTISH COUNCIL RENTS? Recently Scottish Housing Matters has explored the pressing (and related) issues of shortfalls in affordable housing provision and where additional resources might come from to increase supply. Several recent national studies (Audit Scotland, RICS) have done likewise.

ALACHO has been keen to

plans and financial models. A key element of the study

contribute to this debate,

was to conduct a comparison of council rents with Scottish

and here I’d like to focus on

housing associations, English councils and the Scottish

a recent study funded and

private rented sector.

carried out for ALACHO by HouseMark Scotland, the

Not for the first time, the research noted the wide range

aim of which was to examine

of council rents in Scotland (£45 - £85 per week in 2013/14)

the extent of council financial capacity which might be

and the almost £1 billion income generated from 318,000

utilised to fund new social housing.

council homes. However the report also noted that, on average, council rents in Scotland are some way below the

This research made use of council focus groups and case studies, and examined a limited sample of council business

10 | Scottish Housing Matters

comparators listed above.

The main conclusions emerging from the research suggest that:

•

Councils do appear to have some financial capacity to increase supply

•

An average real terms weekly increase of £10 per week (pw), phased at £1pw over 10 years, could produce 24,000 new homes, or 40,000 new homes if matched with Scottish Government grant at the current rate of £30,000 per unit

•

To do so would only increase average debt per council house to around £12,700, approximately the borrowing cap for the least indebted region in England (the North West).

The Scottish Government has made it clear that there is no likelihood of additional capital grant for social housing in the foreseeable future. The housing sector will rightly continue to lobby strongly on this issue, but it seems clear that any short term increase in new council supply will need to be funded from councils’ own prudential borrowing, or not at all.

The Scottish Housing Regulator has raised concerns recently about the extent to which housing association rents remain affordable to tenants. With a few notable exceptions, most council rents would still appear to fall well within the “affordable” category.

In summary

The research conclusions were never intended to be prescriptive, but rather to inform debate on potential sources of additional income to help fund new housing supply.

In that spirit, there would certainly appear to be a prima

“It seems clear that any short term increase in new council supply will need to be funded from councils’ own prudential borrowing, or not at all. ”

facie case for a more rational rent structure for council rents in Scotland at local and national level, based not only on the business and asset management requirements of council stock, but also on the needs of those who do not yet have a home to call their own.

The need for a related debate on what exactly we mean by affordability is equally overdue.

For a copy of the report visit ALACHO’s website at www.alacho.org.uk

Scottish Housing Matters | 11

CIH SCOTLAND EXCELLENCE AWARDS CIH Scotland’s annual excellence awards have become a highlight of the housing calendar in Scotland. This year they took place in outstanding surroundings at the Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh, on 21 November, supported jointly by Dunedin Canmore and the Wheatley Group.

It was the opportunity for housing professionals in Scotland

with some of the innovative projects in Scotland leading

to come together to celebrate what was described by CIH

the way for the sector. Ewan Gurr of the Trussell Trust

President, Steve Stride, as the ‘premiership of the

outlined the work of the CIH President’s chosen charity.

housing sector’.

Its network of UK food banks has given it access to many

The event was hosted by Jaco van Gass whose stellar list of achievements was enough to impress an audience

hard hitting real life stories which Ewan shared with the audience.

who themselves had an unrivalled pedigree in delivering

There was then the most important part of the evening –

the highest housing standards. CIH Scotland Chair Keith

the presentation of the Housing Excellence

Anderson and CIH President Steve Stride both highlighted

Awards 2014!

the commitment of the entrants and competition winners,

Bob Allan Young Achievers in Housing Award So much so her infectious personality, her gift of enthusiasm, the “can do” attitude and drive to do what is right for tenants also caught the eye of our partner organisations. The multi-agency nomination from DGHP, Dumfries and Galloway Council, Irvine HA, Home in Scotland and Loreburn HA is testament itself of how highly they all regard Evie both as a colleague but also in her professional capabilities. She has brought so much to DGHP and indeed the development of the Common Housing Register in Dumfries and Galloway.

Jayne Moore, director of housing services said: “Very simply, it is a privilege to work with Evie and she is a worthy recipient of the award. I also think that the late Bob Allan would have approved!”

WINNER – EVIE COPELAND, DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY

The other finalists were:

HOUSING PARTNERSHIP

•

Melissa Craig, Calvay

As a 23 year old graduate journalist, Evie came to work for DGHP as

•

Vikki Sayers, Horizon Housing

a part-time website assistant. Within a couple of months, it was clear that she possessed the qualities and attributes that make her a true ambassador for the housing profession.

12 | Scotland Housing Matters

Housing Association Association

Excellence Award in Developing Skills and Capacity Blackwood is immensely proud of this achievement and it is a testament to the hard work and dedication of those who participated in the programme.

Embracing innovative methods in communicating with one another across the business and listening to both staff and customers ensured it developed a programme that resulted in making a real difference both internally and externally. The learning and development culture within Blackwood has strengthened significantly over the past 18 months, providing a continuous cycle of learning for all involved. It is looking forward to shaping this programme to meet future organisational and sector requirements.

WINNER: BLACKWOOD FOR THEIR LEADERSHIP AND CULTURE CHANGE PROGRAMME Blackwood won this award because its leadership culture change programme has been hugely significant in shaping the future of its

The other finalists were:

•

Berwickshire Housing Association – Developing

•

Wheatley Group – Glasgow

organisation and its people’s ability to provide high quality services

People for Growth Housing Options

throughout Scotland.

Excellence Award in Sustainability The thermal deficiency, and constructional difficulties, of these blocks has been addressed by:

• •

installing district heating to each block

•

over-cladding the external walls with a rain screen, incorporating

replacing the windows with high quality aluminium framed windows, which have a U value of 1.4 W/m2K mineral wool insulation, so as to achieve a U value of 0.3 W/m2K

The success of the project was ensured by Aberdeen City Council pooling its grant income and making it available to further subsidise the private owners (many of which who are elderly and vulnerable) at public meetings, an open day, one-to-one meetings, and one-to-one WINNER: ABERDEEN CITY COUNCIL - TACKLING FUEL POVERTY IN MULTI-STOREY BLOCKS IN ABERDEEN

negotiations.

An older private owner recently wrote to the council to say:

This project addressed two distinct challenges: firstly the ownership of these blocks is shared between Aberdeen City Council and a number of private owners (94 privately owned flats, within a total of 388 flats) and secondly these blocks were hard to heat, due to their uneconomic and inefficient heating, and poor thermal insulation. The principal challenge of this project was to find a means of progressing the works, within blocks of mixed ownership, so as to eliminate fuel poverty.

‘’I just want to say how pleased I am that I went and got my heating and new windows done. The workmanship was very good. The men were excellent workers.’’

The other finalists were:

•

Irvine Housing Association -

•

Linstone Housing Association - Fuel The

Energy Improvement Works initiative Benefits project

Margaret Vass Excellence Award in Housing Management and Homelessness heart of the delivery at the frontline. The success of Housing Options can be attributed to the dedication of Pauline and Denise and their ability to do the right thing at the right time for the customer. They have brought Housing Options to life at the frontline!

On a daily basis they work directly within a housing association or a frontline community casework team. Both demonstrate excellent and effective communication with the staff at various Housing Options locations and with the customer – achieving some fantastic customer outcomes and continuous improvement with the service.

WINNERS: PAULINE MCGARRY AND DENISE MURDOCH, WHEATLEY GROUP

The Housing Options message is spreading and they regularly give advice and assistance to colleagues not yet part of the programme.

Pauline and Denise have over 30 years experience at the frontline in housing and homelessness. In 2012, both were appointed into the Housing Options team to share their knowledge and experience in developing and building the Glasgow approach and then to be at the

Robina Goodlad Excellence Award For over eight years, Lizanne has worked tirelessly with Blackwood and Blackwood Foundation to bring innovative change and ideas to the organisation. Among other achievements, Lizanne publicly champions its online site ‘bespoken’, has mentored new staff and board members and works continuously within the community to improve the future for people with disabilities.

Commenting on the award, Fanchea Kelly, chief executive of Blackwood said: “Blackwood is extremely pleased Lizanne has won this award. She is utterly selfless and incredibly modest and doesn’t realise just how inspirational she actually is.

WINNER: LIZANNE BURTON, BLACKWOOD BOARD MEMBER Blackwood was utterly delighted to see tenant board member, Lizanne Burton, pick up the prestigious CIH Robina Goodlad Excellence Award.

This award recognises women who have made a significant contribution to housing within Scotland.

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14 | Scottish Housing Matters

“Blackwood is proud to have such a brilliant role model and can’t wait to see what Lizanne does next!”

Building Successful Communities Excellence Award in Regeneration The overall aim of this development was to establish a successful, sustainable community where a broad range of households are represented.

The community had been involved in consultations and discussions prior to the decision being made to demolish the three multi storey blocks and this continued throughout the duration of the project. The local primary schools were involved in the creation of a new play park.

A residents’ association, 21st Century Gracemount, was established in partnership with the council, tenants and private owners. The association meets regularly and have input into decisions taken about WINNERS: CITY OF EDINBURGH COUNCIL FOR GRACEMOUNT 21ST CENTURY HOMES DEVELOPMENT In 2006 The City of Edinburgh Council approved the decision to demolish three multi-story blocks each containing 82 homes in the Gracemount area of Edinburgh. Gracemount was to become Edinburgh Council’s first 21st Century Homes development and is made up of two phases. Cruden Homes was selected as the developer for the Gracemount project and undertook to build 215 new homes for council rent and

the management of the development.

To the south west end of the development site is a Grade B listed Mansion House with adjoining walled garden and stable block which is owned by the council. Grow Stronger is a community led food growing initiative, which has been working in the walled garden. Project volunteers live in the new 21st Century Homes development and in the wider area. The walled garden is also used as a general social space helping the integration of the existing and new community.

The other finalists were:

private sale.

•

Commonwealth Games Athletes Village –

Phase one, of 99 homes for rent

•

City of Edinburgh Council - Moredun Park

and sale is complete and Cruden

City Legacy & Hyvots Regeneration

Homes is now working on phase two, which is solely homes for sale.

CIH Scotland are very grateful to all our award sponsors

Scottish Housing Matters | 15

WRITTEN BY JOHN PERRY, POLICY ADVISER, CIH

SCOTLAND STANDS APART FROM ENGLAND ON HOMELESSNESS AND WAITING LISTS The UK Housing Review 2015, just published, once again points out the growing differences between Scotland and England when it comes to help for homeless people.

16 | Scottish Housing Matters

Since the wider eligibility rules took effect in Scotland, homelessness has been falling. In

England, homelessness has risen slightly over the same period, with more people losing private

rented accommodation because they are evicted or their tenancy ends.

There are also growing

service’, including setting targets to reduce

household being helped. England

contrary to the guidance which says that the formal

differences in the kinds of

has seen a decline in under-25s

being accepted as homeless, and

the proportion made up of single people is down to only 23 per cent.

In Scotland it is now much easier for single people to get accepted as homeless, and the proportion has

increased to 65 per cent. Crisis has recently criticised tougher ‘gatekeeping’ by English local authorities and contrasted this with the better prospects for single homeless people north of the border.

On the negative side, there is now evidence from Scotland as well as England on the ways in which

homelessness ‘prevention’ methods are suppressing applications. In England, prevention work increased by 13 per cent in the last year and two-thirds of

homelessness activity is now focused on prevention

rather than use of the statutory system. Scotland has

applications as their ‘principal performance measure’, and informal approaches should proceed in parallel.

This means that it’s now ‘likely’ that there is under-

reporting of homelessness, as is strongly believed to be the case in England.

However, there are contrasting trends again when

it comes to the use of temporary accommodation.

In England, in 2010 councils met a target set by the last government to halve their use of temporary

accommodation. But since then its use has grown remorselessly, including a six per cent rise in the

past twelve months. Worst of all, there is growing

use of private lettings, including non-self-contained accommodation such as bed and breakfast (B&B) accommodation. In Scotland, use of temporary

accommodation is starting to go down after rising for several years. By last June, it had fallen two per cent compared with the year before; use of B&B is also very limited.

only just started to monitor prevention work and the

Finally, clear differences are also emerging in the

the regulator has already pointed out that councils

reported by councils is 14 per cent lower now than at

first figures should be available later this year. But

have ‘changed the way they deliver the homelessness

use of waiting lists. In Scotland, the headline figure

its peak in 2009. In England, a fall is also occurring,

but for different reasons. Councils are

now able to restrict entry to their lists, and while some still have open lists

that continue to grow, others have cut numbers drastically. In London alone, three boroughs have cut their lists

by between 60 and 80 per cent. The UK Housing Review concludes that

waiting lists – never a very satisfactory

measure – are being rendered virtually useless as a guide to housing need, at least south of the border.

Scottish Housing Matters | 17

UPDATE ON THE HOUSING (SCOTLAND) ACT 2014

WRITTEN BY ASHLEY CAMPBELL, POLICY & PRACTICE OFFICER, CIH SCOTLAND

The Housing (Scotland) Act 2014 was passed last summer amid a fanfare of publicity – as of August 2016, the controversial right to buy will no longer be a feature of social housing policy in Scotland.

The Act has received criticism from

The decision to apply a set of standards to the letting

some housing professionals for not

agent sector in Scotland sits alongside a wider Scottish

being radical enough, although the

Government focus on improvements in the private

end of right to buy along with some

rented sector, including the recent consultation reviewing

tinkering around the edges of social

the private sector tenancy regime, discussions around

housing allocations and discretionary

rent regulation and the imminent consultation on the

powers regarding anti-social

introduction of minimum energy efficiency standards for

behaviour have certainly gone some

the private sector. All of which may prompt the question, is

way to satiate the social sector’s appetite for change. But

the Scottish Government attempting to introduce too much

what’s in it for the private sector?

too quickly?

The most significant impact comes in the form of

While there are potential gains from increasing regulation

mandatory registration for all letting agents operating in

in the private rented sector, not least for tenants who

Scotland, accompanied by a code of practice to be in place

may feel that their rights have been overlooked in

by the end of 2016. Details of both are currently being

favour of private landlords for too long, opinions from

developed by the Scottish Government in partnership with

landlords, agents and their representatives remain divided.

a range of stakeholders, including CIH Scotland, but we can

There have been suggestions that overregulation could

expect the following:

force some landlords out of the sector and discourage

•

A national registration scheme managed by the

institutional investment. Others see the benefit of a system

Scottish government;

that roots out the poorer preforming landlords and agents

The potential for some form of training or qualification

but stress that this should not be at the expense of those

requirement for a letting agent to be entered onto the

who are already providing a good service. Whatever

register; and

your opinion, changes are on the way and the Scottish

A statutory code of practice with which failure to

Government faces a tough challenge in getting the

comply will be treated as an offence.

balance right.

•

•

18 | Scottish Housing Matters

“IT’S BEEN A PRIVILEGE TO WORK WITH CIH MEMBERS ACROSS SCOTLAND” As she moves on from housing, outgoing CIH chief executive Grainia Long says CIH Scotland members should be proud of the dynamic housing industry they have helped create.

Scotland’s housing system has been the scene of much

The housing sector in Scotland is dynamic – it takes

of the most progressive change in the UK in the past

education, professional standards, and learning seriously,

two decades. I was fortunate to work in Scotland in the

and it shows. I’ve been impressed by, and felt privileged

early days of the Scottish Parliament, when remarkable

to work alongside my colleagues in CIH Scotland and with

legislation was passed that placed real value on the right to

CIH members across the sector. All eyes are on housing

a home, and removed conditionality from rights of access

professionals in Scotland as you build a progressive housing

to housing. I’m still proud of that work – and Scotland

system in a time of real change. The rest of the UK can

is rightly proud of the emphasis placed on housing by

learn much from you – I wish all CIH members the very best

successive governments since devolution. This is down, in

as you continue to thrive.

no small part, to the hard work of CIH members in making the case for housing. But equally, CIH members are not complacent – there remains much to do to ensure our housing system provides for everyone.

Scottish Housing Matters | 19

MALCOLM SMITH AWARD WINNER 2014 - SPOTLIGHT Graham Watters, West Dunbartonshire Council and Post-graduate Diploma in Housing Studies student, University of Glasgow What do you do?

I have worked for West

Dunbartonshire Council for

What has been the most rewarding aspect of your career to date?

Recently, the whole process of working on the IHMS

over 13 years, currently within

project has been great. Producing a detailed IHMS

the housing, environmental

business case for our corporate management team, hosting

and economic development

workshops with staff and providing regular updates to

department. I’m a member

senior management have been welcome challenges. I also

of the housing strategy and

enjoy my job in tenant participation and find that helping

development team and at the moment I’m covering two

tenants and residents who want to make a difference to

positions - half of the week I am a tenant participation

their area is very satisfying. Winning the Malcolm Smith

assistant working closely with tenant groups and the other

Award has been a highlight and I’m looking forward to

half I am temporarily working as an integrated housing

gaining my university qualification in August.

management system (IHMS) officer developing a new IHMS across the service.

How did you start your housing career?

Why did you decide to study for the Postgraduate Diploma in Housing?

Initially it was for career progression within housing

I was successful in applying for a post as tenant

because I enjoy working in the sector. Ideally I want to

participation admin assistant in 2003 which changed over

work as a strategy or performance officer. Since starting

the years to be a more generic performance assistant.

the housing course I’ve acquired a deeper appreciation of

I moved back to tenant participation in 2011 and was

housing and how it relates to the economy and UK/

appointed to my IHMS position in 2014.

Scottish Politics.

20 | Scottish Housing Matters

What advice would you give to someone thinking about studying for a housing qualification?

Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?

At first I was very hesitant having never previously been

I’d be happy to continue working in a local authority role,

to university. After a reassuring discussion with Nigel

perhaps managing our integrated housing management

Sprigings, the course leader, I decided to enrol. Now I’ve

system - or I’ll be cycling around the world!

won this award so it was definitely the right choice. It has been a very rewarding experience with my general confidence and report writing, communication and research skills all improving. Glasgow University has been a great

I’m planning on continuing my education. Career wise,

What tips would you give to someone thinking about a career in housing?

Do it! I think it is a great time to be working in housing,

place to study. I found the lecturers supportive and

particularly with right to buy ending in 2016 and the

encouraging and the library facilities excellent. It’s been

potential for Scottish social housing stock to start growing

very helpful to have the opportunity to discuss, evaluate

for the first time in over 30 years. It is a very complex and

and compare different theoretical approaches and practice

challenging sector, but also very rewarding.

with other students.

CIH SCOTLAND FORTHCOMING EVENTS • Generation rent - 24 March, CIH Scotland office, Edinburgh • Anti-social behaviour – where do things currently stand? - 13 May, Glasgow Look out for these future events: • Income maximisation and rent arrears • Tenancy sustainment • Dealing with complex behaviours Keep an eye on www.cih.org/scotland for information on how to book, and stay in touch for details of the ever popular Housing Asset Management Conference on 8 September in Glasgow.

Scottish Housing Matters | 21

WRITTEN BY CHRISTINE MACLEOD, DIRECTOR OF GOVERNANCE AND PERFORMANCE, SCOTTISH HOUSING REGULATOR (SHR)

REGULATOR PUBLISHES ITS FIRST NATIONAL REPORT ON THE CHARTER The findings of the Scottish Housing Regulator’s (SHR) analysis of the Charter returns submitted by social landlords will be launched in March.

Delegates at CIH Scotland’s annual conference in March will have the first opportunity to hear the details and ask questions.

22 | Scottish Housing Matters

Among other things, the

Our analysis reveals that there are a number of performance

analysis reveals those areas

indicators with a strong correlation or link to tenant

of landlord performance

satisfaction which are particularly important to tenants.

that the Charter data suggests are most important

This evidence base and understanding will inform landlords,

to tenants in terms of

particularly those performing below the sector average

maximising and sustaining their overall satisfaction. The

for a range of indicators, where to prioritise resources and

Charter sets the standards and outcomes for all social

improvement activity to lift tenant satisfaction and move

housing landlords and it is our role to report on social

closer to achieving the Charter standards and outcomes.

landlords’ achievements by gathering and analysing data

To put it another way, getting performance right in these

from landlords across a range of performance indicators.

specific areas may have the biggest positive impact on

For the first time we have been able to directly compare

overall tenant satisfaction.

and assess both registered social landlords’ and local authorities’ performance across a consistent set of

This first national report on the Charter will also form a

standards and data from landlords’ first ever Charter return

baseline of evidence for future national reports, allowing

for the year to 31 March 2014.

us and landlords to analyse trends in future years and the extent to which landlords are making progress.

Tenants and their landlords now have direct access on our website to all the performance data submitted by all social

Read our first national report to find out those areas of

landlords and can use our comparison tool to select and

landlord performance that our analysis reveals are most

compare this data in any way they choose. So we did not

important to tenants in terms of maximising and sustaining

want to simply replicate the types of analysis and comparison

their overall satisfaction.

which most users can do themselves. Rather we decided, using statistical analysis, to examine the relationship between

www.scottishhousingregulator.gov.uk

tenant satisfaction and other areas of landlord performance.

We have quantified for the first time the extent to which tenants value one area of landlord performance over another in relation to their overall satisfaction.

Scottish Housing Matters | 23

ADVERTORIAL

WRITTEN BY ROSE BROOKE, EVENTS MARKETING, TIGH GRIAN LTD

TIGH GRIAN BRINGS THE CONCEPT OF VOLUMETRIC SUSTAINABLE HOUSING TO CIH SCOTLAND’S ANNUAL CONFERENCE A project three years in the making, Tigh Grian will be bringing its sustainable housing product to the CIH Scotland Annual Housing Conference to demonstrate how easily its volumetric, resourceefficient dwellings slot into the future of housing.

24 | Scottish Housing Matters

The Tigh Grian two and three-bed units are designed to

Delegates will be encouraged to bring their questions

maximise energy and resource-efficiency in a comfortable,

and enquiries to the team on Tigh Grian’s stand (C69),

cheap-to-run modular dwelling. They are not only

while those on the study tour to the Ravenscraig site will

attractively designed, but fast to assemble and affordable

have ample opportunity to direct specific questions to the

to manage. Moreover, their construction leads to minimal

architect and BRE staff.

waste material, while also offering flexibility of design.

For more information visit www.tighgrian.co.uk On-site at the event, visitors will be able to explore a single-bed unit, which will be partially furnished to allow those stepping inside the house to imagine life in a Tigh Grian property. In addition, an organised tour is scheduled to take place on day two of the event (Wednesday 11 March) at 9.30am, guiding delegates around the unit at the BRE Innovation Park, Ravenscraig, North Lanarkshire, which demonstrates how these volumetric units can take energyefficiency to its absolute limit, achieving net zero carbon emissions.

The units on display at the CIH Scotland event and in Ravenscraig are the product of three years’ work from the multi-disciplinary Tigh Grian team, based in Edinburgh. It includes decades of specialist know-how of professionals experienced in land surveying, construction cost management, sustainable architecture and the inner workings of social housing financing in the form of Gordon Campbell, who holds numerous posts in the housing world and is a member of the CIH Scotland board.

Scottish Housing Matters | 25

The Challenges: Annual return on the Charter / Performance indicators / Value for money / Service improvement / Efficiency savings / ABERDEENSHIRE AND MORAY HOUSING PARTNERSHIPS Tenant scrutiny / Landlord report to tenants WRITTEN BY GLENN ADCOOK, AHP GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

MAKING THE STEP Step Up and Join the Leaders!

UP TO SCRUTINY Need to make sense of all of these challenges with your tenants and step up your performance?

Why not enrol your organisation in Stepping Up to Scrutiny, the Aberdeenshire Housing Partnership and Moray Housing Partnership national scrutiny training and learning programme 2013 to 2016, and lead the way in tenant driven performance improvement!

(AHP/MHP) were invited to take part in the Scottish government’s For information on joining the programme contact the Stepping Up learning to Scrutiny team programme on 0131 225 4544 national scrutiny training and ‘stepping up to or email scotland.learn@cih.org scrutiny’ pilot phase in late 2013.

It became clear at an early stage that a significant level

•

It has galvanised and brought together AHP/MHP

of commitment was required to go through the training.

tenants who have formed a reconstituted registered

This caused some delays in getting started as the logistics

tenants’ organisation called MAHPTA (Moray

of organising joint training sessions involving tenants,

and Aberdeenshire Housing Partnership Tenants

governing body members and staff from all parts of the

Association). They have now set up a tenants’ scrutiny

two organisations was very challenging!

panel with clear terms of reference.

•

The tenants involved in the early adopters programme

Fortunately, the commitment was there to overcome

are now empowered to give peer support to other

the practical hurdles of bringing together tenants from

tenants to enable them to challenge and hold AHP/

a very dispersed and rural geographical area and finding

MHP to account for performance. This is being

time slots and venues that were convenient to all. The

developed through recruitment of local tenants acting

training was delivered by a partnership of CIH Scotland

as a ‘village voice’.

and HouseMark Scotland and turned the uncertainty of the initial concept of scrutiny into something real

In addition, a wide range of staff (from the executive team

and meaningful.

to front line) have gained an in-depth understanding of tenant scrutiny and how tenants can be actively engaged in

After successfully completing the programme there have

reviewing performance against the Charter outcomes.

been a number of very positive outcomes for AHP/MHP: •

•

Taking part in the programme has raised awareness

MAHPTA has agreed a scrutiny programme for 2014/15:

of what can be achieved from a well structured tenant

•

Reactive repairs

engagement and scrutiny process.

•

Governance arrangements

It has helped embed a culture of enhanced

•

Condition of property when tenants move in (linked to

involvement and effective tenant scrutiny throughout the organisations, including within the governance arrangements.

26 | Scottish Housing Matters

lettable standards and void management) •

Management of rent arrears.

In conducting the repairs scrutiny process the scrutiny

and the staff team. Encouragingly, the panel has been

panel asked three questions about the response repairs

commended by the governing bodies for the commitment

service provided by AHP/MHP:

and considerable effort that has gone into the scrutiny

•

How good are the services?

exercise and the production of an excellent first

•

How well is the repairs service being managed?

outcome report.

•

Does the service meet the repairs and maintenance outcome/standard of the Scottish Social

All involved in the process have gained valuable experience

Housing Charter?

which will undoubtedly help future scrutiny projects.

In order to answer these questions the scrutiny panel: •

Spoke to tenants and staff at AHP and MHP

•

Saw and tested first-hand how well services were being

(Aberdeenshire Housing Partnership (AHP) and Moray Housing Partnership (MHP) came together in a constitutional arrangement in January 2013 and now form the core parts of the AHP Group)

delivered and how well AHP and MHP responds to its service users (by doing things like observing staff, sampling cases, mystery shopping, and phone surveys) •

Checked the key policies and publications and information for service users

•

Took account of the AHP Group self-assessment submission.

Response repairs is a demanding and complex service area to tackle for the first scrutiny project and this exercise resulted in important learning for both the scrutiny panel

MAHPTA Scrutiny panel present their first scrutiny report to senior AHP Group staff. Top l-r Colin Hawkins (AHP Group CEO) & Bill Robertson (Scrutiny Panel Chair). Bottom l-r Sylvia Stobbart (scrutiny panel member and report author) & Glenn Adcook (AHP Group Executive Director).

Stepping Up to Scrutiny – Find out more!

Over the past twelve months, CIH Scotland, in partnership with HouseMark Scotland, has continued to deliver the

The Challenges: Annual return on the Charter / Performance indicators / Value for money Thirteen organisations have already signed up to the programme with others waiting in the wings for a 2015 start. / Service improvement / Efficiency savings / Organisations participating to date range from smaller organisations working together, such as AHP and MHP to larger Tenant scrutiny / Landlord report to tenants Scottish Government funded three-year national scrutiny learning and training programme, ‘Stepping up to Scrutiny’.

local authorities such as North Ayrshire Council. Feedback so far shows that tenants, staff and Board members or

Step Up and Join the Leaders!

councillors have found the training thought provoking, challenging (at times!) and very discursive.

Several tenants and staff from organisations which have completed the programme are now taking part in the CIH Level 3 Award in Resident Scrutiny, with others keen to sign up once they have completed the ‘Stepping Up to Scrutiny’ training.

Need to make sense of all of these challenges with your tenants and step up your performance?

The Scottish Government funding is limited, so contact Mark Reid mark.reid@cih.org or Sarah Greally Why not enrol your organisation in Stepping Up to Scrutiny, the

sarah.greally@cih.org national to find out more, or call 0131 225 programme 4544 today2013 if you are interested in being scrutiny training and learning to 2016, and lead the way in tenant driven performance improvement! included in the programme.

For information on joining the programme contact the Stepping Up to Scrutiny team on 0131 225 4544 or email scotland.learn@cih.org

Scottish Housing Matters | 27

The Challenges: Annual return on the Charter / Performance indicators / Value for money / Service improvement / Efficiency savings / Tenant scrutiny / Landlord report to tenants

Step Up and Join the Leaders!

Need to make sense of all of these challenges with your tenants and step up your performance?

Why not enrol your organisation in Stepping Up to Scrutiny, the national scrutiny training and learning programme 2013 to 2016, and lead the way in tenant driven performance improvement!

For information on joining the programme contact the Stepping Up to Scrutiny team on 0131 225 4544 or email scotland.learn@cih.org

28 | Scottish Housing Matters

ADVERTORIAL

HOUSING AND REGENERATION PROGRAMMES (HARP) The Scottish Government Housing, Regeneration and Welfare Directorate is to introduce a new programme management and payments system to store consistent and accurate information across a range of housing and regeneration programmes.

The new Housing and Regeneration Programmes (HARP)

entry and provide the ability to share information relevant

system is due to become operational around autumn 2015.

to users’ projects as part of ongoing

All funding applications and claims by Registered Social

programme management.

Landlords (RSL), local authorities and developers will be input directly onto the new system. As Strategic Housing

Recent stakeholder events took place in Scottish

Investment Plans (SHIPs) and Strategic Local Programme

Government locations in Glasgow and Inverness. These

Agreements (SLPAs) are an integral part of the operation

successful sessions outlined the vision and objectives of

of the Affordable Housing Supply Programme (AHSP) local

the HARP project; highlighting to attendees the process

authorities will be able to input this information directly

changes and benefits the new system will require and

onto the new fully integrated HARP system offering a clear,

enable, as well as providing first sight of an early prototype

strategic audit trail for all projects.

of the new system.

The new HARP system will be a web based platform which

More opportunities to engage and be involved in user

allows data to be captured and monitored. A further

testing will be provided to stakeholders, with details

essential feature of the system is a flexible reporting

contained within the HARP e-newsletter. These are

function; allowing users to build reports based on any

available on the Scottish Government website and are

element(s) of data captured relevant to their own business

designed to spread awareness of the new system as well as

areas/geography.

keeping local authorities, RSLs and other delivery partners up-to-date with the development of the system and

The system will be a live and consistent data source, which

key milestones.

is easy to access. It will also reduce duplication of data Scottish Housing Matters | 29

WRITTEN BY DAVID OGILVIE, HEAD OF POLICY AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS, CIH SCOTLAND

POLICY ROUND UP Scottish Government Housing Conference/ Smith Commission report, draft Joint Housing Delivery Plan legislation and beyond The Scottish Government Housing Conference took place

The Smith Commission Report (http://bit.ly/15CkQMW)

on 18 November at Murrayfield and was very well attended

was published on 27 November. CIH Scotland produced

– you can read the briefing we issued before the event

a ‘Need To Know’ briefing (http://bit.ly/15Iu2zg) which

here: CIH briefing: realising a better housing system for

outlined the key housing impacts, most notably around

Scotland (http://bit.ly/1K3VPY7). At the event, over 300

welfare powers, taxation and energy. CIH Scotland broadly

delegates from across the housing sector discussed various

welcomed the Smith

issues in eight different work groups, generating key

Commission report

actions which will be included in the Joint Housing Delivery

(http://bit.ly/11xeJHE),

Plan for Scotland, which we expect to be published in

but there has been a

April 2015. Along with other key housing stakeholder

range of reactions to

organisations, CIH Scotland will be involved in the delivery

the report from across

of the Joint Housing Delivery Plan which is set to restate

the housing sector.

and redefine existing strategic objectives for housing

In light of the report,

in Scotland.

several Scottish civil society organisations, including SFHA, wrote an open letter to Secretary of State for Work & Pensions, Iain

30 | Scottish Housing Matters

Duncan Smith MP (http://bit.ly/1tZFguN) asking the UK Government to suspend Universal Credit implementation in Scotland, until the process of legislating for new powers for the Scottish Parliament is complete.

Following the publication of the Smith Commission report in November, some 44 draft legislative clauses (http://bit. ly/1JGR5cz) were published on 22 January, of which those relating to welfare and taxation are understandably of greatest interest to the housing sector. The extent to which these legislative clauses honour the ‘vow’ made by party leaders in the run up to the referendum in September has been hotly contested. There is particular disagreement over whether the welfare powers clauses will deliver the desired competency to Scotland to effectively eliminate the so-called ‘bedroom tax’, and whether the draft legislative clauses in their current guise will effectively maintain a Whitehall veto over key aspects of policy in Scotland. Our initial comments on the draft clauses are here: (http://bit.ly/15CHPYK).

A fuller briefing for members will be available soon, but amid all the debate, it is clear there is still a distance to travel before the draft clauses will represent real change for the Scottish housing sector.

Private Rented Sector

The Scottish Government recently consulted on a new tenancy for the private rented sector (http://bit. ly/1vJJHWm). In our response (http://bit.ly/1Cg5wmZ) we welcomed the Scottish Government’s commitment to review the tenancy regime in the private rented sector, but we noted that any new tenancy must balance the needs of landlords and tenants – allowing greater security for families and households that plan on living in the sector over the long term, but also allowing flexibility for those who might need to move within the sector such as students and those working on short term contracts.

CIH Scotland, HouseMark Scotland and Wheatley Group research on Value for Money A new project exploring the Value for Money (VFM)

agenda in a Scottish context has been launched (http:// bit.ly/18ugQj5) by Wheatley Group, CIH Scotland and HouseMark Scotland. The aim of the project is to produce a report providing practical advice on how to get a grip on VFM. This is due to be published in summer 2015. The intention is to shape it around the Scottish social housing experience, and grant stakeholders an opportunity to put a distinctly Scottish slant on VFM. It is intended that we will launch this report at the CIH annual conference in Manchester in June. Book your place at cihhousing.com

Housing Associations and Freedom of Information

Should housing associations be held liable to Freedom of Information provisions? It’s a thorny debate that has once again returned in light of a petition PE01539 (http:// bit.ly/1wAQn7S) laid before Holyrood’s Public Petitions Committee recently – you can read the CIH submission here (http://bit.ly/1yx4vQ5). Meanwhile the Scottish Information Commissioner has joined the debate, laying a Special Report before the Scottish Parliament titled “FOI 10 years on: Are the right organisations covered?” (http:// bit.ly/15Iwfe4) which strongly recommends the Scottish Government considers, as a matter of urgency, whether registered social landlords should be made subject to FOI law.

Homelessness prevented for half of approaches Scottish local authorities were able to prevent

homelessness from occurring for half of households approaching their Housing Options services. For the first time, Scotland’s Chief Statistician has released information on Housing Options in Scotland (http://bit.ly/1tq5GVG), covering the period April to September 2014. Where contact was maintained with households and an outcome

Scottish Housing Matters | 31

was recorded, only half of approaches resulted in the

•

52,400 applications were made to the Scottish Welfare

household making a homelessness application. A quarter

Fund, an increase of 33 per cent on the same quarter

remained in their current accommodation and a further

last year;

quarter found alternative accommodation. In total, local

•

25,800 Crisis Grants were awarded, 32 per cent

authorities received nearly 27,000 approaches to their

more than the same quarter last year. These were

housing option services, from 25,000 households. The most

predominantly for food, heating costs and other living

common activities undertaken were providing general

expenses, with an average award value of just over

housing advice, information and assistance and informing

£70;

households of their rights under the homelessness legislation.

Scottish Welfare Fund: increasing number of households receiving help

•

11,200 Community Care Grants were awarded, 51 per cent more than the same quarter last year. These were predominantly for home furnishings and white goods, with an average value of just under £600.

The number of households applying for welfare assistance has risen by a third in the last year, according to new

Please note: an online digital

statistics. Scottish Welfare Fund Statistics (http://bit.

version of this magazine is

ly/1EPpxix) to 30 September 2014 show that during the

available to read at www.cih.

most recent quarter (July to September 2014):

org/scotland

32 | Scottish Housing Matters

TRAINING & EDUCATION UPDATE What can we do for you?

Let’s work together Are you an experienced trainer with a great idea for specialist training for housing practitioners? Or a housing professional who has designed or delivered training for colleagues but would like to increase your training experience as part of your professional development? If you would like to discuss working with CIH Scotland in

We are continuously reviewing and refreshing our learning

delivering our training and learning programmes contact

and development services based on feedback from the

our service development manager Mark Reid on 0131 225

industry, changes in legislation and regulations and the

4544 for an informal chat or email mark.reid@cih.org

working context and practices of housing professionals.

Our open programme of training courses and qualifications

To make an enquiry or book on these courses please visit

and a guide to the full range of learning topics that we can

www.cih.org/scotland, email scotland.contact@cih.org or

deliver in-house to your organisation.

call us on 0131 225 4544.

We particularly welcome your views and suggestions

Information on our July – December 2015 programme will

on what you want to see featured on our training and

be out soon – keep an eye on www.cih.org/scotland for the

qualification programmes. Please contact us with your

latest updates, where you can also download our guide to

suggestions by phoning 0131 225 4544 or by emailing

the full range of learning services CIH Scotland can deliver

scotland.contact@cih.org

for your organisation.

BE BRILLIANT WITH CIH SCOTLAND QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING! Our current qualification and training courses:

Qualification/Training Course

Date

Where

Housing Law - Allocations Frontline Futures: Leading the Frontline Estate Management

6 May 12 May 13 May

Edinburgh Glasgow Glasgow

CIH Level 3 Certificate in Housing Practice Repairs Reporting Skills Customer care for difficult situations

Home Owner Housing Panel Part I & II Enhancing Service User Engagement in Designing and Improving Services in Housing Housing Law – Homelessness Frontline Futures: Coaching the Frontline Improving Tenancy Sustainment

19 March 1 April 29 April

27 May 9 June

16 June 17 June 23 June

Edinburgh Edinburgh Edinburgh

Edinburgh Edinburgh Edinburgh Glasgow Edinburgh

Scottish Housing Matters | 33

WRITTEN BY PROFESSOR KEN GIBB AND TONY MCLAUGHLIN

REFORM, RISK AND RESILIENCE “We are all risk managers now” was a key impression from a new research study into reform, risk and resilience carried out at the University of Glasgow.

The research came about through a shared desire by Policy

A dominant aspect of the research was the diversity

Scotland at the university and Wheatley Group, Scotland’s

fundamental to the Scottish social housing sector. This

leading housing, care and regeneration organisation, to

relates both to the scale and type of provider, their

stimulate debate about the future of the sector.

perceptions of the concepts of risk and resilience, and strategic approaches they pursue in order to manage risk

The research – “Reform, Risk and Resilience – Diversity

and be resilient in their operations.

and Consensus in Scottish Social Housing” - builds on a groundswell of analysis that concludes the environment

The project found risk management is at the forefront of

confronting Scottish social housing providers has changed.

sector thinking. Risk was commonly perceived in terms

This was evident in the ‘New Times, New Business’ project,

of the poverty faced by tenants. Respondents in some

led by the Centre for Housing Research at St Andrews

cases also argued that a key risk for the sector is being

University, Audit Scotland’s Sector Review from 2013 and,

excessively risk averse.

more recently, in the CIH’s ‘Frontline Futures’ work and the RICS Scotland Commission.

The most commonly discussed area of risk was the ongoing climate of austerity and reduced housing subsidy. Related

The project was guided by a sector-wide steering group.

to this, and despite the Smith Commission proposals,

While the group examined academic approaches to the

welfare reform represents a key risk to the sector. Other

concepts of risk and resilience, the project was primarily

risks found by the research were political uncertainty, long

a ‘people’ project that sought to engage social housing

term private finance changes, demographic change and

organisations across Scotland. This focus on empirical

related changing demand, the growth of the private rented

research was evident in four diverse case studies. These

sector, funding pensions and succession planning (relating

included a Highlands-based RSL with a commercial

specifically to RSLs) and in-work poverty.

subsidiary, a community-based RSL operating from a peripheral estate in Glasgow, a local authority landlord and

Discussions on resilience mirrored the risks facing the

a large group structure housing organisation.

sector. Key aspects of resilient housing organisations were a focus on (and frequent review of) strategic goals and purpose, displaying organisational flexibility

34 | Scottish Housing Matters

and responsiveness, a focus on customer and market

A full report ‘Reform, Resilience and Risk: Social Housing

intelligence, having appropriate good governance and

in Scotland’ by Kenneth Gibb, Des McNulty and Tony

seeking to embed the culture of a learning, reflective

McLaughlin, along with an executive summary are available

organisation.

from Policy Scotland at the University of Glasgow [http://policyscotland.gla.ac.uk]

The interesting thing was the diversity of approaches which different organisations took to achieving resilience.

Professor Ken Gibb,

Different kinds of providers, variable risks and the demands

University of Glasgow and

of specific stakeholders make it a difficult task to arrive

Director of Policy Scotland

at concrete conclusions about what a risk-aware, resilient housing organisation looks like. The report instead focused on a number of key reflections that stressed the critical role of context and path dependency.

The research subjects expressed different visions of the role of the modern Scottish social housing provider. In some cases they emphasised the importance of taking a holistic approach to their customers. Others, however,

Tony McLaughlin, Research and Policy Officer, Wheatley Group

argued that “we blur the role at our peril” and social providers should largely focus on core landlord functions.

This led the report authors to pose a question begged throughout the study in the 21st century in Scotland: who is social housing for and what is the strategic purpose?

We hope to hear some discussion on these fundamental questions at our session at the CIH Scotland conference in March.

Scottish Housing Matters | 35

WRITTEN BY GERRY MORE, PRS CHAMPION, HOMES FOR SCOTLAND

THE PRIVATE RENTED SECTOR CHALLENGE AND ITS CHAMPION Private rented sector “champion” Gerry More shares details of his Scottish Government-funded role which aims to expand the capacity of this growing tenure by attracting new sources of capital.

With 465,000 new homes

This rapid growth has brought both challenge and

required by 2035, Scotland is a

opportunity with respect to meeting demand and

country with urgent yet diverse

professional management of the sector.

housing needs.

Recognising that targeting pension funds and other As home building slumped

institutions could help deliver new, high quality, sustainable

and mortgage lending grew

homes for rent at significant scale, supporting jobs and

increasingly constrained in the

stimulating activity in the home building sector along the

wake of the economic downturn, the private rented sector

way, trade body Homes for Scotland initiated a major

(PRS) has become increasingly important over the past few

research project in 2013 aimed at identifying this type of

years with more people turning to the rental market to

investor, understanding their needs and developing an

solve their accommodation needs. In fact, Scotland’s PRS

approach to attract them to the Scottish residential market.

has more than doubled in size since 1999 and is projected to grow further.

The research was conducted by world-renowned experts in housing finance from the Cambridge Centre for Housing &

36 | Scottish Housing Matters

Planning Research and LSE London. The appointment of a dedicated PRS champion to take the findings forward and help achieve a balanced tenure mix was a key recommendation of the final report.

My responsibility is to drive initiatives to enable potentially viable projects to deliver new private rented housing. Since being appointed to this role in October last year, one of my main areas of focus has been proactively engaging with the wide range stakeholders involved in helping to achieve this, including builders, developers, financial institutions, property management and service providers, housing associations, trade bodies, local government and the Scottish Government.

Supporting my role as PRS champion and assisting delivery of strategic growth, a special PRS working party has now also been established comprising representatives from these stakeholder groups.

The working party has set up three specialist subgroups working together with the collective aim of identifying and monitoring blockages that are holding back development and institutional involvement, recommending how these could be overcome, and informing government

With the legacy of the PRS champion focused on tackling the current market failings facing this tenure by increasing awareness of investment opportunities and ultimately

about mechanisms and interventions to be employed.

delivering large-scale, long-term institutional investment,

Good progress is being made on a number of key

And with government backing and local authority support,

agenda items. For example, one of the first tasks of the working party’s sub-group on regulation and tenancy was formulating a response to the Scottish Government’s consultation on tenancy reform. We urged that change be implemented in a timely manner in order to minimise any period of uncertainty for tenants, landlords and investors as well as on a proportional basis which doesn’t use heavy handed regulation designed solely to stop the bad practice of a few.

Other areas we are tackling include establishing a new PRS index to benchmark performance and identifying planning stimuli.

the foundations of this critical project are now being laid. we believe that institutions will invest long-term in a professionalised Scottish PRS. Ultimately, success will be measured by the benefits such significant new investment brings to Scotland. The benefits of an increase in economic activity and the creation of jobs by building much needed new rental homes to some of the highest technical standards in Europe will further result in lower fuel bills and better living standards for our growing population.

To contact Gerry in his capacity as PRS champion, email: prschampion@homesforscotland.com

Scottish Housing Matters | 37

ADVERTORIAL

SOCIAL ENTERPRISE – SHARING THE LEARNING!

WRITTEN BY LYNN WASSELL, CHIEF EXECUTIVE , PARTICK HOUSING ASSOCIATION

At the end of 2014 Lynn attended the Social Enterprise World Forum in Seoul, Korea and a study tour in Shanghai, arranged by Community Enterprise in Scotland. The conference in Seoul was attended by over 1,000 delegates.

Social enterprise can bring another dimension to the economy and make a real difference to peoples’ lives. The question is how we can ‘shift the paradigm’ more towards social enterprise as a business model and use social value as a measurement of success so it becomes the currency of the business? What role can it play as provider of public services?

Scottish policy is ahead in this field and can share learning Yvonne Strachan, Head of Equality, Human Rights and

and experience world wide including with South Korea and

Third Sector, Scottish Government set out the Scottish

China, where social enterprise is still in its infancy. Social

Government’s strategy and role as enabler in social

enterprise is also a topical issue for housing associations,

enterprise, supported by its £33m social investment fund

as they raise awareness of their role as community anchors

and new investment of £16.6m in the Social Growth Fund.

and with their social impact across Scotland.

Lynn visited a diverse range of social enterprise businesses

Lynn’s sponsors were her employer

on her visit and brought back learning to support business

Partick Housing Association and

development in her own organisation and River Clyde

River Clyde Homes.

Homes (where she is chair of the board). The study programme gave insights into the social enterprise and cultural and economic conditions in Korea and China. It also helped build valuable relationships between participants from various nations.

38 | Scottish Housing Matters

LOOK WHO’S COMING TO HOUSING 2015 Join over 8,000 housing professionals to discuss the ‘big issues’ that everyone will be talking about.

Speakers include:

Cathy Newman, Political Correspondent, Channel 4 News

Alex Lowe, Industry Head, Google

Dr Gerard Lyons, Chief Economic Adviser, Mayor of London

Isabel Hardman, Assistant Editor, The Spectator

Alex Hilton, Director, Generation Rent

Duncan Weldon, Economic Correspondent, Newsnight

FULL PROGRAMME IS NOW LIVE. VISIT WWW.CIHHOUSING.COM TO VIEW

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13/02/2015 15:03

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The closing date for applications is 12pm Tuesday 7 April 2015.

40 | Scottish Housing Matters