The Scottish Housing News Podcast

Scottish Housing News
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Former Dundee housing convener and housing justice campaigner Jimmy Black and Scottish Housing News editor Kieran Findlay discuss the latest news and chat to influential figures from Scotland's social housing sector. Download our podcast media pack here: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/content/2026/SHN%20Podcast%20Media%20Pack%202026.pdf

  1. May 20

    82 - How Dogs Trust is reshaping pet‑friendly housing with Jennifer Leonard and Linlay Anderson

    Discover how social housing providers are embracing responsible pet ownership through an innovative initiative from the Dogs Trust. This episode features insights from the charity's Pet‑Friendly Housing Lead Jennifer Leonard and Angus Housing Association’s Director of Housing Services Linlay Anderson on making housing more accommodating for pets while safeguarding property and community wellbeing. In this episode: The origins and goals of the Pet-Friendly Housing Pilot in Scotland How housing associations are updating policies to support responsible pet ownership The development and impact of Scotland’s first pet-friendly accreditation for social landlords Resources available for tenants and staff to promote animal welfare Challenges with property damage, antisocial behaviour, and legislative support The role of legislation, including the Housing Scotland Act, in enabling pet-friendly policies Practical steps for landlords to balance animal welfare with tenancy management Future expansion plans for pet-inclusive housing initiatives across the UK The mental health benefits of pet ownership, especially for vulnerable tenant groups Collaboration with local authorities, legal frameworks, and external agencies for comprehensive support Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction: The importance of pets in social housing 01:17 - The Dogs Trust pet-friendly housing pilot: origins and objectives 02:33 - Supporting homeless individuals with pets through the Together Through Homelessness scheme 03:48 - Practical implications for tenants choosing between housing and pets 05:15 - Angus Housing Association’s approach to pet policies and tenant support 06:48 - Updating tenancy agreements and managing antisocial behaviour 10:20 - Scotland’s first accredited pet-friendly social landlord: Manor Estates 12:10 - The development of the pet-friendly toolkit and its sector reception 13:21 - Resources for responsible pet ownership for tenants and staff 14:39 - Practical changes in housing management and dealing with pet-related issues 17:25 - Handling cases of animal neglect and abuse 18:46 - Legal procedures and tenancy law in pet-related enforcement 20:20 - Legislative updates: Scottish Housing Act 2025 and Renters’ Rights 21:39 - Enhancements to landlord response times and appeal processes 24:00 - The range of pets supported and restrictions in sheltered housing 28:09 - The mental health benefits of pet ownership for older and vulnerable tenants 33:46 - Addressing damage and contamination issues in properties 36:22 - Future research, expansion, and cross-sector collaboration 40:58 - Challenges with pets in social housing and the need for support 42:12 - Advice for landlords hesitant about pet policies 43:37 - Closing remarks: The importance of partnership and progressive policies Kieran Findlay is the editor of Scottish Housing News. Jimmy Black is a former Dundee housing convener and housing justice campaigner. Interested in sponsorship? Download our podcast media pack⁠ ⁠here⁠⁠. Feedback on this episode and the podcast is welcome via our social media channels: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/28156734/⁠⁠⁠⁠  ⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/ScotHousingNews⁠⁠⁠  ⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/scottishhousingnews⁠⁠⁠  ⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5ywXRXl40cxozNrBpReSTd⁠⁠⁠  ⁠⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/scottishhousingnews.com⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/ScotHousingNews⁠⁠ Read all our news and sign up for our free daily newsletter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/⁠⁠

    45 min

  2. Apr 16

    81 - How Scotland is gearing up for Awaab's Law with Gregor Morrison and Bob Cairney

    Gregor Morrison, national contractor manager at Aico and Bob Cairney, director of technical services at SELECT, offer a practical and Scottish-specific perspective on how the new duties around damp and mould will work on the ground. Gregor brings insight from Aico’s work as a market leader in home life safety systems and environmental monitoring, including live Scottish deployments. Bob offers the trade body perspective, representing electrical contractors who will be key to delivering compliant solutions under the new regime. Given the imminent start of the legislation in Scotland, it will be a timely and practical topic for listeners. A transcript of this episode is available here: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/how-scotland-is-gearing-up-for-awaabs-law-podcast-transcript Kieran Findlay is the editor of Scottish Housing News. Jimmy Black is a former Dundee housing convener and housing justice campaigner. Interested in sponsorship? Download our podcast media pack ⁠here⁠. Feedback on this episode and the podcast is welcome via our social media channels: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/28156734/⁠⁠⁠  ⁠⁠https://x.com/ScotHousingNews⁠⁠  ⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/scottishhousingnews⁠⁠  ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5ywXRXl40cxozNrBpReSTd⁠⁠  ⁠⁠https://bsky.app/profile/scottishhousingnews.com⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/ScotHousingNews⁠ Read all our news and sign up for our free daily newsletter at ⁠⁠⁠https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/⁠

    32 min

  3. Mar 13

    80 - The Scottish Accessible Housing Network with Michael Driscoll and Jill Pritchard

    "The planets are starting to align for change." In this episode of the Scottish Housing News podcast, Kieran Findlay and Jimmy Black discuss the urgent need for accessible housing in Scotland with Michael Driscoll, Chair of the Scottish Accessible Housing Network and CEO of Horizon Housing, and Jill Pritchard, Horizon’s Chair and a leading voice in inclusive design. They explore the role of the Scottish Accessible Housing Network, the importance of setting national targets for accessible housing, and the challenges of funding adaptations. The conversation emphasises the need for a holistic approach to housing that includes the voices of users and the integration of health and social care. They also discuss the role of the private sector in providing accessible housing and the importance of celebrating good practices in the field. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Accessible Housing in Scotland 02:34 The Role of the Scottish Accessible Housing Network 05:11 Urgency for Accessible Housing 08:07 Setting National Targets for Accessible Housing 10:55 Building Accessible Homes from the Start 13:39 Involving Users in Housing Design 16:41 Funding Challenges for Adaptations 19:40 The Need for a National Strategy 22:21 Holistic Approaches to Housing and Health 25:19 The Role of Private Sector in Accessible Housing 27:59 Celebrating Accessibility in Housing 31:02 Future Directions for Accessible Housing Network Further reading: The Scottish Accessible Housing Network Call to Action: https://www.horizonhousing.org/download/docm93jijm4n4017.pdf?ver=6746 A transcript of this episode is available here: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/the-scottish-accessible-housing-network-podcast-transcript Kieran Findlay is the editor of Scottish Housing News. Jimmy Black is a former Dundee housing convener and housing justice campaigner. Interested in sponsorship? Download our podcast media pack here. Feedback on this episode and the podcast is welcome via our social media channels: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/28156734/⁠⁠  ⁠https://x.com/ScotHousingNews⁠  ⁠https://www.instagram.com/scottishhousingnews⁠  ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5ywXRXl40cxozNrBpReSTd⁠  ⁠https://bsky.app/profile/scottishhousingnews.com⁠ ⁠https://www.facebook.com/ScotHousingNews Read all our news and sign up for our free daily newsletter at ⁠⁠https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/⁠

    40 min

  4. Feb 27

    79 - Compulsory tenement owners’ associations with Gillian Campbell and Mike Heffron

    In this episode of the Scottish Housing News Podcast, hosts Kieran Finlay and Jimmy Black discuss the pressing issue of tenement repairs in Scotland, focusing on the recent recommendations from the Scottish Law Commission regarding compulsory owners' associations and building reserve funds. Guests Mike Heffron, chief executive of Under One Roof Scotland and Gillian Campbell from Gillian Campbell Consulting provide insights into the challenges of fragmented ownership, the role of local authorities, and the financial realities of maintaining tenement properties. The conversation also explores lessons from European models, the importance of legislative support, and the future of tenement maintenance in the context of decarbonisation and community engagement. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Tenement Repairs and Ownership Challenges 02:38 Scottish Law Commission's Recommendations 05:00 Implementation Challenges and Owner Associations 07:56 Role of Local Authorities in Tenement Maintenance 10:44 Building Reserve Funds and Financial Models 13:14 Cultural Shifts in Property Ownership 15:53 Future of Tenement Maintenance and Decarbonization 18:19 Legislative Support and Government Action 21:06 Success Metrics for Owners Associations 23:43 Conclusion and Future Outlook Further reading: Tenement law: compulsory owners’ associations: https://www.scotlawcom.gov.uk/news/tenement-law-compulsory-owners-associations/ A Workable Model for Building Reserve Funds: https://underoneroof.scot/a-workable-model-for-building-reserve-funds-new-report-out-now/ A transcript of this episode is available here: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/compulsory-tenement-owners-associations-with-gillian-campbell-and-mike-heffron-podcast-transcript Kieran Findlay is the editor of Scottish Housing News. Jimmy Black is a former Dundee housing convener and housing justice campaigner. Feedback on this episode and the podcast is welcome via our social media channels: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/28156734/⁠⁠  ⁠https://x.com/ScotHousingNews⁠  ⁠https://www.instagram.com/scottishhousingnews⁠  ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/5ywXRXl40cxozNrBpReSTd⁠  ⁠https://bsky.app/profile/scottishhousingnews.com⁠  ⁠https://www.facebook.com/ScotHousingNews⁠  Read all our news and sign up for our free daily newsletter at ⁠⁠https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/⁠

    33 min

  5. Feb 13

    78 - Confronting systemic racism in housing with Gordon Llewellyn‑MacRae and Dr Nadia Ayed

    In this episode, Kieran Findlay and Jimmy Black explore one of the most urgent and least‑acknowledged dimensions of Scotland’s housing emergency: the disproportionate impact on Black people and people of colour. A new report from Shelter Scotland and the Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights (CRER) reveals that systemic racism is shaping who gets help, who is turned away, and who waits the longest for a safe, permanent home. To unpack the findings, the hosts are joined by: Gordon Llewellyn‑MacRae, Assistant Director of Communications and Advocacy, Shelter Scotland Dr Nadia Ayed, Research Associate at I‑SPHERE, Heriot‑Watt University Together, they examine the data, the lived experience behind it, and the practical steps needed to build an anti‑racist housing system. Further reading: Systemic Racism and Scotland's Housing Emergency Joint Report - https://scotland.shelter.org.uk/professional_resources/policy_library/systemic_racism_and_scotlands_housing_emergency I-Sphere’s Homelessness, Race and Ethnicity research - https://i-sphere.site.hw.ac.uk/2025/07/11/final-report-of-our-homelessness-race-and-ethnicity-research-programme-finds-shocking-evidence-of-inequalities/ Anti-Racism and Housing Network meeting (February 2026) https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/events/anti-racism-and-housing-network A transcript of this episode is available here: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/confronting-systemic-racism-in-housing-with-gordon-llewellynmacrae-and-dr-nadia-ayed-podcast-transcript Kieran Findlay is the editor of Scottish Housing News. Jimmy Black is a former Dundee housing convener and housing justice campaigner. Feedback on this episode and the podcast is welcome via our social media channels: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/28156734/⁠  https://x.com/ScotHousingNews  https://www.instagram.com/scottishhousingnews  https://open.spotify.com/show/5ywXRXl40cxozNrBpReSTd  https://bsky.app/profile/scottishhousingnews.com  https://www.facebook.com/ScotHousingNews  Read all our news and sign up for our free daily newsletter at ⁠https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/

    42 min

  6. Jan 19

    77 - What housing needs from the next Scottish Government with Jen Gracie and Susan Jackson

    "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. We are now available to watch on YouTube. Find us here: https://www.youtube.com/@ScottishHousingNews 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. Feedback on this episode and the podcast is welcome via our social media channels: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/28156734/⁠  https://x.com/ScotHousingNews  https://www.instagram.com/scottishhousingnews  https://open.spotify.com/show/5ywXRXl40cxozNrBpReSTd  https://bsky.app/profile/scottishhousingnews.com  https://www.facebook.com/ScotHousingNews  Read all our news and sign up for our free daily newsletter at ⁠https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/

    27 min

  7. 11/14/2025

    76 - Minority landlords and mixed tenure repairs with Audrey Murphy and Professor Douglas Robertson

    This episode delves into the complexities of mixed tenure housing in Scotland, focusing on the challenges faced by social landlords in maintaining properties that include both social and private housing. Audrey Murphy, interim director at Abronhill Housing Association, and Professor Douglas Robertson discuss the implications of fragmented ownership, the limitations of current legislation, and the urgent need for solutions to ensure the upkeep and safety of tenement buildings. They highlight real-life examples of maintenance issues and propose potential strategies for improvement, emphasising the need for a unified approach to housing standards and responsibilities among all owners. Further reading:  Why Flats Fall Down - Navigating shared responsibilities for their repair and maintenance: https://thinkhouse.org.uk/site/assets/files/1345/befs0120.pdf Tick Tock for Tenements: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/douglas-robertson-tick-tock-for-tenements A transcript of this episode is available here: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/minority-landlords-and-mixed-tenure-repairs-podcast-transcript Jimmy Black has written a blog to accompany the episode here: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/blacks-blog-should-we-let-our-tenements-crumble Kieran Findlay is the editor of Scottish Housing News. Jimmy Black is a former Dundee housing convener and housing justice campaigner. Feedback on this episode and the podcast is welcome via our social media channels: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/28156734/⁠ https://x.com/ScotHousingNews https://www.instagram.com/scottishhousingnews https://open.spotify.com/show/5ywXRXl40cxozNrBpReSTd https://bsky.app/profile/scottishhousingnews.com https://www.facebook.com/ScotHousingNews Read all our news and sign up for our free daily newsletter at ⁠https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/

    40 min

  8. 09/17/2025

    75 - Scottish Housing Day: Celebrating good neighbours with Callum Chomczuk and Jamie Ballantine

    In this episode of the Scottish Housing News Podcast, Kieran Findlay and Jimmy Black discuss the theme of 'Everybody Needs Good Neighbours' for Scottish Housing Day. They explore the importance of community and neighbourliness, the role of housing associations in fostering social connections, and the challenges of social isolation. Guests Callum Chomczuk, the national director for Scotland at the Chartered Institute of Housing, and Jamie Ballantyne, social regeneration manager at Queens Cross Housing Association, share insights on community engagement, the impact of digital connectivity, and the significance of small gestures in building trust and cohesion within neighbourhoods. The conversation emphasises the need for investment in social housing and the potential for positive change through community-driven initiatives. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Scottish Housing Day 02:49 The Importance of Neighbourliness 05:33 Community Engagement and Regeneration Projects 08:25 Building Trust and Connections 11:08 Addressing Anti-Social Behaviour 13:49 The Role of Housing Associations 16:28 Celebrating Community Initiatives 19:34 The Impact of Social Isolation 22:19 Measuring Success in Community Work 25:03 Challenges and Opportunities for Housing Associations 28:04 Fostering Pride in Communities 30:54 Conclusion and Neighbourly Gestures Further reading: Scottish Housing Day report: https://www.cih.org/publications/scottish-housing-day-report-everybody-needs-good-neighbours/ Queens Cross Housing Association Social Regeneration Impact Report: 2024/25: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/uploads/SR%20Impact%20Report%20and%20cover%20202425%20Final%20Draft%20V3.pdf  Cedar mural design: https://www.qcha.org.uk/news/484-over-200-local-children-help-with-cedar-mural-design A transcript of this episode is available here: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/articles/scottish-housing-day-celebrating-good-neighbours-podcast-transcript Jimmy Black has written a blog to accompany the episode here:  Kieran Findlay is the editor of Scottish Housing News. Jimmy Black is a former Dundee housing convener and housing justice campaigner. Feedback on this episode and the podcast is welcome via our social media channels: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/28156734/⁠ https://x.com/ScotHousingNews https://www.instagram.com/scottishhousingnews https://open.spotify.com/show/5ywXRXl40cxozNrBpReSTd https://bsky.app/profile/scottishhousingnews.com https://www.facebook.com/ScotHousingNewsRead all our news and sign up for our free daily newsletter at ⁠https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/

    40 min
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Former Dundee housing convener and housing justice campaigner Jimmy Black and Scottish Housing News editor Kieran Findlay discuss the latest news and chat to influential figures from Scotland's social housing sector. Download our podcast media pack here: https://www.scottishhousingnews.com/content/2026/SHN%20Podcast%20Media%20Pack%202026.pdf

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