Episode Description
"All of the evidence tells us that housing associations make Scotland healthier, wealthier and fairer" - Jen Gracie
As Scotland faces a housing emergency in an election year, the conversation around housing policy has never been more crucial. In this edition, Kieran Findlay and Jimmy Black engage with Jen Gracie, public affairs and media manager at the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA), and Susan Jackson, Campion Homes' joint managing director, to discuss the pressing issues and necessary priorities for the next Scottish Government.
The SFHA released a series of policy papers titled 'The Road to 2026' to allow for a detailed examination of various challenges facing housing associations, ahead of compiling the main points in a single manifesto.
Jen emphasises that housing associations play a pivotal role in making Scotland "healthier, wealthier, and fairer". The upcoming manifesto titled 'Housing Associations, Building Scotland's Future' aims to encapsulate the critical needs for the next government, ensuring that new MSPs understand the significance of housing associations.
Susan Jackson shares insights from her extensive experience in the affordable housing sector. She stresses the importance of long-term funding for housing associations, citing the current uncertainty in funding cycles as a major barrier to effective planning and development. Susan also discusses the implications of new regulatory standards on housing development and the uncertainty surrounding costs associated with these regulations.
Both Jen and Susan reiterate the need for clear guidelines and stability in regulations to encourage investment and development in housing projects.
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A transcript of this episode is available here: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/what-housing-needs-from-the-next-scottish-government-with-susan-jackson-and-jen-gracie-podcast-transcript
Kieran Findlay is the editor of Scottish Housing News. Jimmy Black is a former Dundee housing convener and housing justice campaigner.
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