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The voice of Scotland’s vibrant voluntary sector

Published by Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations

TFN is published by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations, Mansfield Traquair Centre, 15 Mansfield Place, Edinburgh, EH3 6BB. The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) is a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation. Registration number SC003558.

How can housing associations tackle poverty and inequality?

This opinion piece is about 3 years old
 

Sponsored content: SFHA’s Housing Now, Housing’s Future: Poverty and Inequality Conference, takes place on 18 February

The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic is felt even more acutely by those who were already affected by persistent poverty and inequality in our society.

This impact would have been even greater had it not been for the support provided by community anchor organisations, such as housing associations, through their existing service delivery as well as much-needed funding provided by the Scottish Government.

SFHA’s Housing Now, Housing’s Future: Poverty and Inequality Conference, taking place on 18 February, will discuss how we can address poverty and inequality and ensure we build a fairer post-pandemic Scotland.

The event has sessions for those working in – and with – the social housing sector, including staff working in homelessness, fuel poverty, welfare rights and financial inclusion, housing management and tenancy sustainment.

Here’s a look at some of our conference highlights:

Reflecting on Covid and building a fairer post-pandemic Scotland

Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Local Government Aileen Campbell MSP will discuss the work of the Social Renewal Advisory Board (SRAB) which was set up to make recommendations for delivering transformational change in a post-pandemic Scotland.

The SRAB's report made 20 calls to action which aim to transform Scotland, building on the country’s firm foundations of social justice, by continuing to tackle poverty and inequality; ensuring basic rights are realised; and working towards fairer, healthier and empowered communities. We will also hear from Joint Chairs of the Editorial Sub-Group Jon Sparkes, Crisis Chief Executive, and Sally Thomas, SFHA Chief Executive, on how these calls to actions have the power to transform Scotland.

Supporting those affected by domestic abuse

CIH Scotland and Scottish Women’s Aid will discuss their recent report on improving housing outcomes for women and children experiencing domestic abuse. This session will provide an overview of the report’s findings and look at how SFHA will work with partners to support members to implement the recommendations. It will also discuss the Domestic Abuse Scotland Bill which, if it passes, would see a new power for RSLs to transfer a Scottish Secure Tenancy from the perpetrator to the victim in the case of domestic abuse.   

SFHA partnerships

This session will profile some of the partners SFHA works closely with to support housing associations’ work on poverty and inequality. Hear from Homeless Network Scotland, Lintel Trust, SURF and Energy Action Scotland, and learn how SFHA plans to enhance these partnerships as we look to Scotland’s recovery from the pandemic.

Workshops will discuss:

  • Preventing homelessness
  • Supporting communities during the pandemic
  • Tackling fuel poverty

Secure your place now

To book your place for this event, and to learn more about our Housing Now, Housing’s Future event series, please visit the SFHA Live! section of our website.

Ticket bundles

Ticket options are flexible. Attend one event for £150 for SFHA members or attend the remaining three events for £390, a saving on £60, comparedto booking each event individually.

If you use the code TFN10 you will get a 10% discount on any of the conferences in our Housing Now, Housing’s Future event series.

SFHA Housing Now, Housing’s Future event series: 

  • 18 February: Poverty and Inequality 
  • 25 February: Digital Empowerment and Leadership 
  • 4 March: Our Sector, Our People

Stacey Dingwall is senior policy manager at SFHA.