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Statement from Regional Networks regarding Housing to 2040

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Colin Stewart, a spokesperson for the Regional Networks said our members supported the Housing to 2040 vision when it was published, it was and still remains an admirable long-term plan.

However, the housing landscape like so much else has changed drastically over the last few years and the priority must be to respond to the current housing emergency we face.  At present the emphasis and funding must go to providing many more new homes.  That must be the focus along with ensuring standards of our existing homes is met.

To do this in these difficult economic times will be hugely challenging and is made even more difficult by the reduction in the affordable housing budget.  Tenants cannot be expected to fund this work through large rent increases, the funding must come on a national basis from government.

As tenants, we welcome the aspiration of the Scottish Housing Net Zero Standard for Scotland but consider that in the current context, it is imperative to take a measured approach to this which takes account of the challenges we are facing across the piece and allow for a more cohesive strategy to be put in place for the social housing sector to address the challenges we face.

Colin Stewart with Michelle McManus

Region Chair and social landlord group from North East celebrates TPAS award wins

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(from left) Awards host Michelle McManus with Rebecca Cuthbert and NETRALT’s co-chairs Katie Taylor and Catherine Coutts
(from left) Awards host Michelle McManus with Rebecca Cuthbert and NETRALT’s co-chairs Katie Taylor and Catherine Coutts

A North East tenant and social landlord group celebrated success last month at the Tenant Participation Advisory Service (TPAS) National Good Practice Awards ceremony in Clydebank.

North East Tenants, Residents and Landlords Together (NETRALT) won Best Practice in Developing Communities award for its groundbreaking work involving young people from across Aberdeen, while NETRALT member and Castlehill Housing Association tenant Colin Stewart won the coveted Alan Ferguson Tenant Champion of the Year award.

NETRALT embarked upon an innovative city-wide project to engage and collaborate with young people via research aimed at exploring youth knowledge and aspirations.

The project involved staff from Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeen Foyer, Castlehill, Grampian and Langstane Housing Associations, as well as young people from Aberdeen City Youth Council (now Aberdeen City Youth Movement) and the Scottish Youth Parliament.

The report will be used in Aberdeen’s Local Housing Strategy, as well as being a link to a child-friendly city and will make an impact on services and the resources that young people are reliant on.

NETRALT’s co-chairs Katie Taylor and Catherine Coutts were delighted to accept this prestigious award on behalf of the group and were joined by one of the young people involved, Rebecca Cuthbert.

Catherine Coutts said: “We engaged with young people, not just as a demographic to fill a quota; this went way beyond youth involvement and co-production. Young people designed, distributed, compiled and launched the survey to ensure that captured views were authentic. The survey achieved its aims, with 595 responses forming the basis of a report authored entirely by young people themselves.”

Katie Taylor added: “Housing is such an important topic; it has a direct impact on young people and they should have a say in what happens. It is vital that they feel their voice is listened to and this project is step towards establishing a city youth housing network to ensure this happens.”

 

Colin Stewart receiving the Alan Ferguson Tenant Champion of the Year award from Michelle McManus
Colin Stewart receiving the Alan Ferguson Tenant Champion of the Year award from Michelle McManus

Castlehill Registered Tenants Organisation (CaRTO) chair Colin Stewart has helped support the organisation to get involved with scheme inspections and to support communities via CaRTO’s funding scheme.

Colin is always a friendly face when he meets tenants and is able to help with his knowledge and lived experience of being a social housing tenant.

An active member of NETRALT and a well-kent face throughout not just the North East, but nationally, due to his role as chair of the North of Scotland Regional Network, he is also the only tenant member of the Housing to 2040 Strategic Board.

Colin has spoken in parliament to communicate tenant comments and evidence to the Local Government, Housing & Planning Committee to inform its consideration of the first report to Parliament on the Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) (Scotland) Act.

Tenant participation officer Catherine, who nominated Colin for this award, explained: “Colin is a force of nature and a worthy winner of this award because of his unfailing enthusiasm and dedication to the social housing sector and the wider community, from grassroots level to national strategic board level. His voluntary work has resulted in positive changes and improvements to many people’s lives across Scotland.”

More winners from the event can be found here.

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