A Scotland of more homes: growing prosperity and shrinking poverty

Information

In partnership with the David Hume Institute and the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations

Scotland is in the grip of a housing polycrisis: rates of homeownership have fallen; rents in the private sector continue to increase; and rates of both homelessness and households living in temporary accommodation have reached record highs across the country. A new report by the David Hume Institute, concludes that these challenges are damaging the economy, fuelling inequality, harming well-being and undermining public trust in politics at both Holyrood and Westminster. Where are the bold policy reforms and urgent shift in recognising that housing is critical economic infrastructure shaping jobs, wealth, climate progress, and wellbeing?

Panellists:

Professor Duncan Maclennan is an applied economist with interests in the functioning of housing systems, neighbourhoods and cities. He is Emeritus Professor of Urban Economics at the University of Glasgow and has part-time Chairs in Housing Economics at McMaster University (Ontario) and UNSW (Sydney). He chaired Care and Repair Scotland, served on the Board of Scottish Homes and was a Special Adviser to the First Ministers of Scotland 1999-2003.

Lord Richard Best OBE is a leading voice in UK housing and planning and chaired the 2020 Affordable Housing Commission, which focused on housing affordability and solutions for low-income households. As Co-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Housing and Care for Older People, he has chaired a series of subsequent inquiries into different aspects of housing for older people. He chaired Hanover Housing Association and was the Director of both the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust.

Eli Harji is a Policy Lead at the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA), the membership body for Scottish housing associations and co-operatives, with a focus on housing finance and investment. She previously worked in public affairs consultancy and, prior to this, held a number of political roles including for a local authority and at Westminster.