Scotland’s housing emergency is now a delivery pressure for every council and many public sector partners. Local authorities are challenged to respond amid a bewildering context. Rising homelessness, soaring housing need, acute affordability pressures, distinct rural and island challenges, child poverty need, restrictive planning constraints, and regeneration demand. An expectation too that empty homes, short-term lets and equalities delivery will also be addressed in the face of limited public finances. The question is, can we connect all of these themes in a way that is genuinely deliverable, affordable and swiftly available?
This conference will examine what the Scottish Government's March 2026 Local Housing Strategy guidance means in practice. The guidance sets out the framework local authorities and partners must use to prepare Local Housing Strategies. Its contents are specific and prescriptive. Equalities, rural and island housing, planning alignment, eradicating child poverty, homelessness, regeneration, empty homes, second homes, short-term lets and community need are all included.
Rather than treating housing strategy as a planning document alone, the conference will discuss it as a delivery tool. The day will examine whether and how we can achieve reductions in unsuitable temporary accommodation, better align land and planning decisions, improving affordable housing supply, tackle private rented sector pressure and link housing to health, poverty and local economic resilience.
Bringing together councils, housing associations, homelessness services, planners, regulators, advice agencies, developers, public health, social care, community partners and housing specialists, the conference will help delegates assess how to turn local housing strategies into deliverable priorities for people and places.
This online conference will focus on three themes:
Topics the conference will explore
Who should attend?
This conference will be relevant to:
09:05 Chair's opening remarks
Session 1: Housing strategy after the emergency
09:10 Keynote speaker: from national housing emergency to local strategy
09:30 Question and answer session
09:40 Local housing strategies: what makes a good plan?
10:00 Homelessness prevention and temporary accommodation
10:20 Question and answer session
10:35 Comfort break
Session 2: Supply, affordability and local systems
10:50 Affordable housing supply, land and planning alignment
11:10 Private rented sector, rent control and affordability
11:30 Question and answer session
11:45 Comfort break
Session 3: Housing as public service reform
12:00 Housing, child poverty and health
12:20 Rural, island and community housing
12:40 Question and answer session
12:55 Chair's closing remarks
This conference takes place online.
How to book
You can book to attend in 3 ways:
Conference fees
Please note – It is not permissible to share the recording. Please contact us if you wish to share it. See our terms and conditions for further information.
Payment
We do not currently accept payments online and will send you an invoice.
You have the option to pay by bank transfer or card.
Bank details will be included on the invoice.
If you wish to pay by card, please tick the appropriate box on the booking form and a member of our staff will contact you by telephone to take the payment. Alternatively you may call 07377 147271.
Terms and conditions
By placing this booking, you agree to the full terms and conditions found via the link at the foot of our website.
Book delegate places or purchase video recording.
