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CaCHE becomes new Secretariat of Cross Party Group on Housing

The UK Collaborative Centre for Housing Evidence (CaCHE) has taken over the role of secretariat for the Scottish Parliament’s Cross-Party Group on Housing.

Cross-Party Groups (CPGs) are open to all and provide an opportunity for members of all parties, outside organisations and members of the public to meet and discuss a shared interest in a particular cause or subject.

The purpose of the group is to allow housing organisations and MSPs to share information and gather knowledge on all matters relating to housing.

Graham Simpson MSP is the Convenor and Elena Whitham MSP and Ariane Burgess MSP are Deputy Convenors. Graham said:

“It’s great to have CaCHE on board as secretariat for the Cross Party Group.

“We are determined not to be a talking shop and to that end we have already formed a small task group to produce a report on rent controls – something the Scottish Government has said they intend to bring forward.

“We will also be looking at the draft NPF4 and will be working very closely with the parliament’s Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee.”

Elena said:

“Having worked in the housing and homelessness for many years, I have a deep-seated belief that housing is about so much more than bricks and mortar. I believe the Housing CPG will continue to be a key driver in helping to ensure that we see housing as a human right and that the entire housing sector contributes hugely to our nation’s wellbeing.”

Ariane said:

“Housing shapes much of our built environment and our lived experience. Adequate, affordable and accessible homes must be available for everyone living in Scotland. We must start to transform housing from places that separate to places that create community, tackle homelessness and support health and wellbeing. In response to the climate and nature emergencies, we have a lot of work to do to retrofit existing homes and ensure that new builds are up to it. As our lives become orientated closer to home, we must support communities to define and design the elements that will make 20-minute neighbourhoods a reality.”

The Housing CPG brings together people from across the housing sector, and through this gathering point, we have the potential to innovate, influence and inspire.

Professor Ken Gibb, who is the Director of CaCHE and has recently completed a two-year study of rent controls, said:

“CaCHE is delighted to have assumed this role supporting the CPG. We look forward to working with the Convenor and Deputy Convenors , MSPs and other colleagues. The CPG on housing has a strong track record of doing meaningful and serious work. We hope to continue that tradition straightaway by undertaking a working group on the highly topical issue of rent control and also organising a submisson by the CPG to the ongoing NPF4 consultation.”

Organisations currently involved

Organisations involved in the group include Age Scotland, ALACHO, Building Engineering Services Association, Capability Scotland, CIH Scotland, Clachan Co-Housing, Perth & Kinross Council, Crisis, Cyrenians Scotland, Electrical Safety Council, Energy Action Scotland, ESPC, Federation of Master Builders, Glasgow Centre for Inclusive Living, Grampian Housing Association, Glasgow and West of Scotland Forum of Housing Associations, Homeless Action Scotland, Homeless Network Scotland, Homes for Scotland, Horizon Housing Associations, Housing by People, Housing Options Scotland, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, LGBT Youth Scotland, Living Rent, Lochalsh and Skye Housing Association, MCS Charitable Foundation, National Landlords Association, National Trust for Scotland, North Star Consulting & Research, Pagoda Porter Novelli/McCarthy & Stone, Planning Aid Scotland, Pentland Communications, Positive Prisons, Public Health Scotland, Registers of Scotland, RIAS, RICS, Royal Town Planning Institute, Rural Housing Scotland, Salvation Army, Scotland’s Housing Network, Scottish Association of Landlords, Scottish Churches Housing Action, Scottish Cities Alliance, Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, Scottish Land Commission, Scottish Solicitors Property Centre, Shelter Scotland, Sovereign Property Partners, Taylor Wimpey, The Vivarium Trust, Tenants Information Service, and TPAS.

Join us

The next meeting of the CPG on Housing is due to take place virtually on 1 February 2022 from 6.30–8pm. Those with an interest in NPF4 and housing issues are encouraged to attend. Further information about agenda items and speakers will be available in due course.

Learn more

For more information or to register your interest in attending the next meeting, please email Dr Gareth James, Knowledge Exchange and Research Fellow at CaCHE.

 

Photo by Chris Flexen on Unsplash

 

Date: December 20, 2021 12:39 pm

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