THE debate about Scotland’s future and whether there is an opportunity to create a better housing system in Scotland will be the focus of the Scottish Federation of Housing Association’s (SFHA’s) annual conference at Glasgow’s Hilton Hotel on 7th & 8th June 2012.
The conference, entitled ‘Out of the Labyrinth – Which Way?’, will look at what kind of housing system will ensure we meet the diverse housing needs of Scotland’s people, and whether more devolution, or indeed independence, would better deliver that system.
Housing and Transport Minister, Keith Brown, will deliver the keynote speech on Thursday 7th June, and the conference will close with a political panel session on 8th June featuring MSPs from each of the main political parties.
A widely-anticipated session on 7th June will see a debate on the future of Scotland with contributions from Martin Sime, chief executive of the Scottish Council of Voluntary Organisations, constitutional expert Professor Richard Kerley and Rae Chill MSYP, vice-chair of the Scottish Parliament.
Delegates will also, for the first time, be able to use voting buttons to respond to polls in each of the main plenary sessions – enabling instant audience feedback on contentious or exciting points of debate.
Mary Taylor, SFHA chief executive, said:
“The theme of this year’s annual conference is ‘Out of the Labyrinth’ and with affordable housing facing perhaps a greater number of challenges than ever before, it’s an apt description of the situation our members find themselves in.
“With Scotland faced with a somewhat bewildering array of constitutional options and, housing associations and co-operatives trying to deal with increased demand for housing, welfare reform changes, and cuts to capital investment, there’s never been a better time to put these issues on the table.
“The SFHA is delighted to be joined by the Housing Minister, and an expert range of speakers who will help us to explore the issues facing the country and the housing system, in a thoughtful and non-partisan manner,” concluded Dr Taylor.
For more information about SFHA annual conference or to book, contact events@sfha.co.uk
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For further information, contact Claire Munro on t: 0141 567 6244 m: 07771926778 or e: cmunro@sfha.co.uk
Visit our website at www.sfha.co.uk
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NOTES:
1) The SFHA was established in 1976 and has around 160 members providing affordable housing and wider community services in Scotland, as well as a further 200 commercial members. The SFHA is owned by its membership and exists to support the work of housing associations and co-operatives in Scotland by providing services, advice and good practice guidance.
2) The SFHA is the voice of the principal builders and managers of new affordable housing for rent in Scotland. Housing Associations own and manage around 40 per cent of the country’s affordable rented housing stock, over a quarter of a million homes across Scotland.
3) Housing associations and co-operatives are not-for-profit bodies regulated by the Scottish Housing Regulator.
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Contact: Claire Munro
Phone: 0141 567 6244
Email: cmunro@sfha.co.uk
Website: http://www.sfha.co.uk
