The day is intended to raise awareness of challenges and successes in the housing sector and raise people's awareness of their housing options. This year the focus is on sustainable housing
With the Scottish Government setting out its intention to develop a new housing standard later in this Parliament, agreeing the concept and principles that underpin sustainable housing is crucial. This year's Scottish Housing Day will encourage everyone to think about the core components of sustainability and will signpost tenants and residents to sources of advice, information and support.
In order to mark this Scottish Housing Day, private and social landlords, tenants and residents' organisations, developers, third sector organisations, advice agencies and individuals are encouraged to show their support by organising online events, Q&A sessions, fun days, sharing stories and blogs and through social media using the hashtag #ScottishHousingDay.
-- Advertisement --
Callum Chomczuk, chair of the Scottish Housing Day working group said: "The commitment to a new housing standard is welcome, but if we want to tackle the climate emergency and ensure homes remain both affordable and long lasting then we need to see a commitment to housing sustainability. This means going beyond low or zero-carbon heating and the use of appropriate building materials but thinking about what steps we need to take to ensure tenants, customers and homeowners are able to live comfortably in their own homes.
"We want Scottish Housing Day to encourage organisations and individuals to use this opportunity to spark discussion about the future of our housing stock and how it can be made more sustainable."
Sally Thomas, Chief Executive of the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, said: "Our members are already working hard to deliver affordable, warm, energy efficient homes for social housing tenants across Scotland which will help the Scottish Government to meet its climate change targets. It's crucial that, as social landlords deliver increasingly sustainable homes on the journey to net-zero emissions, we deliver a fair and just transition. No tenant should be left behind with costs they can't afford or heating systems that don't work for them. We look forward to focusing on this issue, and more, by taking part in this year's Scottish Housing Day, promoting sustainable housing for all."
