Bringing together Scotland's housing associations
The SFHA Annual Conference took place earlier this week in Glasgow bringing together social housing leaders, activists, policymakers and politicians from across Scotland and beyond to discuss the major issues facing the sector.
As the main sponsor of the event, it gave us great pride to be involved in such a poignant discussion. From our experience and conversations with housing associations, it’s clear most are navigating a very uncertain and challenging path and the societal expectations inherited by these organisations continue to grow. The sector despite its challenges is a force to be reckoned with and remains defiant and agile enough to continue through the storm and deliver for its tenants and communities.
With Sally Thomas, CEO of SFHA setting the tone for the conference, outlining that while it can feel like we are living in a permacrisis – consistently hard times in which we are having to make hard choices – the sector’s track record is second to none. And that, ultimately, while uncertainty remains, our housing associations and co-operatives are resilient – and can only achieve what’s needed together.
Our Regional Director, Lesley Anderson delivered the sponsors address at the event held at Radisson Blu amplifying the importance of having these discussions and collaborating with peers by sharing knowledge and experiences leading to better outcomes. Lesley also spoke about the current challenges housing associations are facing with the paradigm shift in the role of a housing association and how organisations are feeling the pressure to provide for their communities. But above all housing associations despite the challenges are continuing to deliver for their tenants and engagement across the sector is becoming stronger.
On the theme of navigating our way in uncertain times, the keynote speech from Alastair Campbell focused on his own experiences of managing change and how -from a noted political strategist- he felt SFHA, and others could keep raising the importance of our social homes up the political agenda.
The packed-out two-day event also saw delegates come together to hear from speakers on a huge range of topics, including funding the delivery of new homes, future skills, managing the media, staff wellbeing, the growth of AI, achieving net zero and more.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank SFHA for offering the opportunity to be involved and play a part in this event.
