SFHA members are Registered Social Landlords

SFHA delivers high-quality, sector-specific conferences, networking events, and learning programmes, offering our members valuable opportunities to connect, share knowledge, and stay updated on the latest sector developments. As authorised Continuing Professional Development (CPD) providers, we provide structured accredited CPD to delegates at a number of our in-person events.

SFHA’s forums are a key part of our member offer, supporting us to engage directly with our members, develop policy, and share good practice on a wide range of topics. 

SFHA supports our members by engaging in policy development, advocacy, and lobbying for the best possible landscape for housing. We work to influence Scottish Parliament and Westminster on issues that impact our members, engaging in parliamentary processes by giving evidence to parliamentary committees, influencing legislation and briefing politicians ahead of key debates. We also actively engage with individual political parties to influence their policies. Overall, we ensure that politicians understand the story of social housing and its role in delivering thriving communities, tackling poverty and helping people reach their full potential. We also produce a variety of policy resources, guidance and consultations for members. 

SFHA members have access to a range of resources to help them maintain the highest standards of governance. Our Get Governance suite of guidance has been developed in conjunction with industry specialists and informed by our membership. Relevant regulatory bodies were also consulted as appropriate to ensure that the materials help organisations meet regulatory and legislative requirements. The resources provided include: template documentation; practical tools; and written guidance.

Directors and Officers Liability insurance

As part of your SFHA membership fee, we offer an umbrella policy with TL Dallas for directors and officers’ liability cover. This is insurance that offers protection for directors and managers of an organisation from claims which may arise as a result of any actions or decisions they take during the scope of their regular duties. It can also cover the legal fees and additional costs the organisation may incur. Claims are covered on a first-come, first-served basis until the policy limit is reached.

Freedom of Information (FOI) helpline

This helpline service is intended to provide quick answers to one-off, straightforward queries in respect of compliance with the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOI) or the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 (EIR), ranging from dealing with information requests to publishing information. Through the helpline, TC Young provides up to 20 minutes of free legal advice via telephone on any one FOI/EIR matter.

Developed with key partners, the Social Value Toolkit provides a practical resource for members to help them to understand, measure, and demonstrate the social value impact their work has on tenants and communities. 

Together with experts in housing and aging, SFHA created the Inclusive Living Tool-kit with an accompanying training course, to allow members to explore how they could design future housing developments for all ages and abilities.

 SFHA and HouseMark joined forces to produce an interactive rent setting tool for members that calculates five affordability measures for a proposed rent, and allows users to see how the rent and affordability measures compare to other local social landlords. Over 80% of our members now use this tool.

The Digital Maturity Check-up Tool for housing associations is a free service to assess the digital maturity of your organisation and how this compares to other housing associations.

SFHA administers funding streams on behalf of Scottish Government and other agencies when available, and continuously seeks new funding opportunities for members. Some examples of past funding streams administered and distributed to our members include the Social Housing Fuel Support Fund, Homelessness Prevention Fund, Cycle Scotland Fund, and Food Insecurity Fund.

SFHA's OnBoard Service supports member housing associations looking to recruit new governing body members, and assists individuals looking to volunteer and make a positive contribution within their community.

The service works in two ways: members contact us when board opportunities arise, and  people who would like to become governing body members join our register of potential candidates. We then match candidates with organisations, depending on organisations’ needs and the candidates’ skillsets. We can also advertise available board positions on our website. 

Scotland’s housing sector is evolving, and having the right blend of people and skills in place is essential.  The Routes to Housing project, led by SFHA, looks to inspire young individuals to pursue careers in the housing sector and view housing as a career destination of choice. This initiative promotes housing as a profession, raises awareness of available opportunities, and highlights the benefits of working in housing.

The Diamond Insurance Scheme is a specialist home contents insurance scheme that's offered to members by SFHA in conjunction with Thistle Insurance Services Limited.  

Regardless of your stock size, whether your stock includes independent living schemes, sheltered housing, supported or general housing, as a member you have access to the Diamond scheme and all your tenants and residents are eligible to apply for cover.

The Technology Enabled Care in Housing (TECH) programme is funded by the Scottish Government and hosted by SFHA. It supports housing providers, their tenants, and customers to explore, test and embed digital opportunities across housing, upscaling housing’s contribution to the Digital Health and Care Strategy for Scotland by focusing on service transformation, informed by customer co-design.

The overall aim of this housing focused TECH programme is to increase uptake and use of technology amongst the housing sector’s customers, to support people to live well and safely at home and offer advice and support in innovation and technology.