The Scottish Government's vision for the future of social housing was set out with the publication of The Way Forward. Taking forward the key themes raised in the consultation on investing in affordable housing, the statement was agreed with the SFHA and COSLA with input from Homes for Scotland. It outlined our shared view for strengthening the way we invest in the social housing sector.
Two working groups were set up in response to the statement. The first looked at issues of collaboration, consortia and procurement; the second developed advice on a standard for development and a framework for assessing organisations who wish to receive subsidy to build new affordable homes.
A third group looked at the future of funding for affordable housing, building on the joint Scottish Government and COSLA study into council house building. Taking account of the work of investment reform working groups one and two, this group explored the existing funding arrangements. Outcomes were submitted for consideration by Scottish Ministers and options identified fed into wider consultation on future housing policy in Housing, Fresh Thinking, New Ideas and into Homes Fit for the 21st Century, the Scottish Government's strategy and action plan for housing from 2011-2020.
You will find below minutes of the working groups.
Working Group 1
Context Paper | Draft Remit | Issues and Timetable
Meeting 1
Agenda | Minutes
Meeting 2
Agenda | Minutes | Published Studies Paper | Presentation from Steve Patterson | Presentation from Ian Sillars
Working Group 1 Final Report
Working Group 2
The final report from Working Group 2 was published in September 2010.
On its release, Alex Neil, Minister for Housing and Communities said: "Providing the best homes possible is at the heart of this Government's housing policy. The report, and its principles, offer an excellent basis for future investment in the sector, ensuring the quality of new homes in the years to come."
Context Paper | Draft Remit
Meeting 1
Agenda | Minutes
Meeting 2
Agenda | Minutes | Paper on draft standard and assessment framework | Outline of Standard
The consultation had proposed a series of changes in the way that affordable housing is delivered and asked for the sector's views on how we should approach regional structures, funding reform and encouraging and supporting relationships between housing associations. It received over 200 responses which are summarised in a report.
Meeting 3
Minutes
Meeting 4
Agenda
Working Group 3
Remit
Meeting 1
Agenda | Minutes | Issues to address
Briefing from Researchers
Meeting 2
Agenda | Note of Meeting |
Meeting 3
Agenda | Note of Meeting | Project Inception meeting with Heriot Watt | Briefing on Research Commissioned
Meeting 4
Agenda | Note of meeting
A Study into the Capacity of Registered Social Landlords and Local Authorities to Build Housing Across Scotland
Meeting 5
Agenda