Everything you wanted to know about housing finance

Why attend?   

Over the course of the day attendees will gain an understanding of key aspects of social housing finance policy, including insights into:

The fundamentals of the Scottish social housing model
Considerations around rent setting and affordability
Funding new social and affordable housing developments
The wider economic context housing associations are operating in

To encourage a diverse range of attendees, we are also offering limited free places to those who are new to the sector (joined less than a year ago) or are a young person in the sector (under 30). These places are available to SFHA members when you book a paid place at the conference. They are available on a first come first served basis and are limited to one per organisation. To claim the free place please email events@sfha.co.uk

Date & venue

The conference will take place on Tuesday 20 May 2025 at The Studio, Glasgow. The Studio is a modern, bright venue, located in Glasgow's city centre, offering easy access from all major transport links. It has been awarded GOLD ECOsmart accreditation rating for environmental impact.  This demonstrates The Studio’s longstanding commitment to sustainability as the award is for hotels and meeting venues that demonstrate an eco-friendly approach, and it is an industry-standard accreditation. 

Is the conference for you?

This event is aimed at housing association staff and governing body members who are either new to the sector, or looking to develop or refresh their understanding of social housing finance.

Sustainability

Our vision for future SFHA events is to produce them to the highest quality while ensuring that they are sustainable and reduce our carbon footprint, where possible.

Ways you could help us reduce our carbon footprint at this event:

Take public transport, cycle or walk
- Did you know a train produces 0.07kg of CO2e per mile compared to a car which is 0.36kg or a short haul flight which is 0.44kg?
Download the conference app to save paper
Bring a refillable water bottle
Use recycling bins provided

Read our full sustainability policy here

Costs & how to book

Delegate rates start at £284 for SFHA members and £396 for non members.

Book two places and bring a colleague for free! *  

We’re offering a group discount: buy two of the same ticket type and another colleague can attend for free.

*Tickets must all be the same type and booked at the same time to receive the deal, excludes residential tickets*

The discount will be automatically calculated on checkout. 

To book your place, use the buy tickets button.

9.15

Registration and networking

Registration will take place on the 9th floor with refreshments available in the exhibition.

10:00

Conference Welcome

Join us for the conference welcome in Climb

10:10

Opening plenary: The evolving economic and political environment

Housing association finance teams are working in an increasingly complex environment - global volatility, macroeconomic trends, and shifting policy agendas all have an impact. We will be starting the day hearing from Scott Edgar of Diffley Partnership who'll be looking at the big picture to help us understand the context the sector is operating in now.

11:00 networking break

11:30

Workshop sessions Block A

A1 The bomb proof balance sheet - the financial model that underpins social housing success

In the first of two business planning workshops, Bill Truin will be looking at the concept of the perfectly hedged, risk-free balance sheet. Bill will explore the factors that can weaken that resilience, the role of financial covenants, importance of cashflows... and a word of warning about lease arrangements

A2 An introduction to bank lending

Private finance is a key source of income for the sector. In this session Peter Freer from Allia C&C will provide an overview of the types of bank lending available, and will share expertise and insights into the pros, cons, and risks to consider when entering into private finance arrangements

A3 VAT and Accounting

In this session we will hear from sector adviser's RSM on how to navigate an ever evolving and increasingly complex accounting and tax landscape

12:30 networking lunch

13:25

Panel: Everything you wanted to know about housing finance

This wide-ranging panel discussion will look at housing association finances from a range of perspectives, from both inside and outside the sector. We will be questioning speakers on how to balance competing priorities, emerging trends, and anything else you wanted to know about housing finance (but were afraid to ask)

14:15

Workshop Session Block B

B1 Long-term financial planning - the only certainty is that it won't look like this!

In our second business planning workshop, Bill Truin will take a deep dive into long-term financial planning: it's strengths, weaknesses, and why you should always be prepared for the unexpected

B2 Rent and affordability

The cost-of-living crisis is ongoing and affordability remains a huge concern for tenants. This workshop will look at what 'affordability' means within this context, and will also provide information on housing association rent setting processes.

B3 Grant funding and the Affordable Housing Supply Programme (AHSP)

Join Will Tyler-Greig, Deputy Director of More Homes Division and his colleagues at the Scottish Government for an exploration of the Affordable Housing Supply Programme (AHSP) and the range of funding mechanisms it provides to support the delivery of social homes, MMR, and low cost home ownership.

15:05 Refreshments

15:15

Closing Plenary - Fireside chat: a finance director's view

We will close the day with an in-depth discussion with Lynn Mirley of Eildon Housing Association Ltd about the central role that finance teams play within their housing organisations, with reflections on career opportunities, the skills and behaviours needed to succeed, and the impact that finance decisions ultimately have on tenants and communities

16:00

Conference close

Closing remarks