Housing Matters: Looking ahead with optimism

Here at SFHA, 2025 will be a landmark year as we- alongside many of our members- mark our 50th anniversary. So, for the first time in a long time, I’ll be looking ahead with more optimism and hope. 

Not least as a result of the Scottish Budget in which, amid pressure from SFHA and others, the Scottish Government outlined plans to fully reverse the previous year’s cut to the Affordable Housing Supply Programme. The budget has now passed stage one and looks set to be taken forward. While, as I said last year, no single budget is going to solve the housing emergency, or the many challenges ahead of us, it is a welcome starting point. And it does mean the return of a degree of confidence and certainty. 

The budget also significantly increased the funds for aids and adaptations – the first increase for many years. Following the serious concerns we raised last year about the delays housing associations faced receiving grants, as well as the reduction in overall funding, this year’s budget will rise from £8.3million to over £20million, which is very welcome. We know that this funding is essential for tenants who require support to live well and independently in their homes.  

Finally on the budget, given the importance of homelessness prevention and tenancy sustainment, it is also welcome that the Scottish Government has announced funding of £1million to assist housing associations with this, again following our calls. You’ll hear more about how this fund will be allocated shortly.  Absolutely none of these successes are possible without members’ knowledge and input, and I’d once again like to express my gratitude for all the work you and your organisations do to ensure SFHA can influence positively and effectively – whether in our policy, press or political work. 

Finally, as part of our 50th anniversary celebrations, we’ll be looking towards the future of social housing. As part of that, we’re launching an initiative called ‘Next-Gen Leaders’ where we will celebrate many of the outstanding young professionals working throughout the housing sector. We’re keen to hear from as many of you as possible about the young people making a difference in social housing, who we know will go on to give it a bright future. You can read more about this in an article by our very own rising star, Mollie Stephen, in this week’s newsletter.  

To finish from me and the team at SFHA, huge best wishes for the year ahead and, as ever, don’t hesitate to get in touch to discuss anything here- or anything else that would be useful.   

All good wishes, 

Sally