Our Interests: Housing

Based on the past experience of our Directors (with community based housing associations in Glasgow and with Scottish Homes), housing and regeneration was the focus of our early work.  Although we have expanded substantially from this base, it is still a core part of our work.  We work with tenants and tenants’ organisations; support housing policy and practice; evaluate housing programmes and carry out organisational reviews.

Tenants and tenants’ organisations

We have regularly worked as Independent Tenants’ Advisers in stock transfers – most recently in the Second Stage Transfers from Glasgow Housing Association.  We are also supporting the Tenants Regulation Advisory Group, which brings a tenants’ perspective to the work of the Scottish Housing Regulator – by providing both administrative support and capacity building.

Supporting housing policy and practice

We have been in the forefront of the development of Common Housing Registers in Scotland.  We have supported the creation and development of Home Argyll (the Common Housing Register in Argyll and Bute).  We also carried out a review of Common Housing Registers in Scotland for the Scottish Government.  We supported North Lanarkshire Council in reviewing its housing allocation policy – which included consultation with councillors, staff and tenants’ organisations.  We conducted a literature review for the Glasgow and West of Scotland Housing Association Forum to inform their position on housing sex offenders.  And we regularly analyse Scottish Government consultations on housing policy.

Evaluating housing programmes

Over the years we have regularly carried out reviews and evaluations of housing programmes for Scottish Homes, Communities Scotland and the Scottish Government.  These have included an evaluation of Mortgage to Rent; a review of the progress on Tenants Participation; an evaluation of Care and Repair; and an evaluation of LIFT.

Organisational reviews

We have supported housing associations to undertake organisational reviews.  These have included Paragon and Fyne Homes.  We have also supported many of the mergers and transfers of engagement between housing associations in Scotland including Loretto and St John’s; and Beechwood Housing Cooperative and Sanctuary.  And we carried out an options appraisal for Clackmannanshire Council on the future ownership options for its housing stock – as a result of our advice the Council decided to retain its stock.

Housing and care

We understand the importance of independent living.  We carried out a review of care units in the Western Isles and the future options for a sheltered and very sheltered housing scheme in Govan.  We are currently reviewing the national Independent Living Programme for the Scottish Government.