Local Housing Strategy

Our communities of practice are a group of like minded professionals that work (or have an interest in) an area of housing practice.

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About

The Local Housing Strategy (LHS) Forum supports local authority staff responsible for strategic planning to meet housing needs. This community of practice will be particularly relevant to officers and teams involved in preparing and implementing strategic plans, including Housing Need and Demand Assessments (HNDAs), Local Housing Strategies (LHSs), Strategic Housing Investment Plans (SHIPs) and Housing Contribution Statements (HCSs).  

This community of practice covers a wide and varied range of topics related to Housing Policy and Strategy, and is about highlighting common issues, sharing good practice and discussing the national strategic direction of travel. This community of practice will aim to provide you with useful examples from across the country, highlight new research, funding sources and projects, and provide an opportunity to learn from each other.  Representatives from both the Scottish Government’s More Homes division and Centre for Housing Market Analysis attend these forums to provide support to members working in this area.   

Who is it for

The group is for local authority officers with an interest in Housing Policy and Strategy and meets quarterly.

Key Content

1

Best practice in preparing HNDAs

2

Local Housing Strategy development, including consultation with stakeholders

3

Setting Housing Supply Targets including Wheelchair Accessible Housing Targets

4

Strategic Housing Investment Plans (SHIPs)

5

Developing other associated plans, e.g. on homelessness, health and social care or energy performance

6

Working with other stakeholders to implement the LHS

7

Examples of research and projects focussed on strategic approaches to housing need and improving housing outcomes

Forthcoming Events

Housing for Varying Needs, Consultation Workshop

An interactive, face to face workshop facilitated by Anderson Bell Christie to consider the current Housing for Varying Needs consultation.
11th Dec 2023

Latest News

Charter data for 2022/23 now available – SHN Benchmarking Tools updated

31-Aug-23
Scotland's Housing Network (SHN) is pleased to advise that our Benchmarking Tools have now been updated to reflect the Regulator’s new dataset, issued this morning (Thursday 31 August 2023).

SURF Awards 2023

29-May-23
SURF 2023 awards to launch on 8th June.

Scottish Fuel Fund

04-May-23
Funds secured by HACT and Melville are now available for housing associations to access, providing vouchers to support residents with rising fuel costs.

Publications and reports

SHN Local Housing Strategy Forum – Notes from 27 November 2023

Summary notes from our Local Housing Strategy forum, which took place on 27 November 2023. Featuring discussion of the housing needs of Gypsy/Travellers, empty homes work as well as lessons from recent LHS's. Also included an overview of the SHN Development Value for Money service.

LHS Forum – Scottish Government presentation – November 2023

Presentation by the Scottish Government's John Mcrorie, looking at lessons and key themes from recent LHS's.

LHS Forum – Scottish Empty Homes Partnership – November 2023

Presentation by Lisa Borthwick and Andy Moseley of the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership.

Past Events

Local Housing Strategy Forum

This session will provide an update on SG work into the housing needs of Gypsy/Travellers, an overview of Empty Homes work, lessons from recent LHS's & HNDA's, and SHN's Development Value for Money tool.
27th Nov 2023
Microsoft Teams

Charter Performance – A Sector Overview

SHN present an overview of Charter Performance for the Sector, based on SHN Member data received so far. An opportunity for discussion on performance and what we can expect to see for the year ahead.
15th Jun 2023
Microsoft Teams

Local Housing Strategy

Our next Local Housing Strategy forum includes an update on the new National Planning Framework (NPF4), information on the new Affordable housing initiative for key workers and updates from SG and CHMA.
12th Jun 2023
Microsoft Teams

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