Focus on Influencing Scotland – September 2026

Welcome to our latest Focus on Influencing Scotland newsletter, which provides an update on our latest policy and influencing work.

The link between housing and health was the focus for the eleventh annual Scottish Housing Day, which took place on Wednesday 16 September. This year, the Scottish Housing Day partners launched a new report at the Scottish Parliament titled Healthy Homes, Healthy Futures. 

Referencing feedback from both housing professionals and tenants, the report explores the many ways in which housing impacts every aspect of our health and makes a number of recommendations for the Scottish government. It also features case studies and evidence from across the sector, all pointing to the indisputable links between good quality homes, housing services and improved mental and physical health and wellbeing. Please do take the time to read and share it with your networks. 

We also drew on the findings of the report and the value that good housing and housing services provide during a Finance Committee evidence session that we participated in on Wednesday 23 September. You can watch the session here.

On Tuesday 1 September First Minister John Swinney set out his Programme for Government (PfG) in the Scottish Parliament. In a change to the usual annual timeframe, this PfG will last for five years and will focus on eradicating child poverty, growing the economy, tackling the climate emergency, and delivering high-quality and sustainable public services, with an annual update published each spring aligned to the budget. Members can find out more about what the PfG means for housing in our latest ‘what you need to know’ briefing.

The Scottish government has also published new guidance for tenants in Scotland on damp and mould. From 6 October 2026, landlords must investigate reports of damp or mould and begin any necessary repairs within set timescales. CIH Scotland is pleased to see the publication of this guidance to support social and private landlords meet the new legislative requirements and will continue to support members with briefings, practical guidance and tailored training on delivering the new requirements.

Over August and September, we have been meeting with MSPs from across parties to discuss their priorities for the new parliamentary term and to highlight CIH member priorities. To date, we have met with:

• James Adams, housing spokesperson for the Scottish Conservatives and member of the climate action committee and rural affairs committee
• Thomas Kerr, housing spokesperson for Reform Scotland and deputy convenor of the social justice, housing and local government committee
• Shirley-Anne Somerville, cabinet secretary for housing and social justice. 

We are pursuing meetings with housing spokespeople for all the main political parties and key committee members to ensure we work broadly to achieve consensus on the vital role of housing and the need for continued investment in the sector, especially during a period of renewed focus on value for money and public service reform.  

We also met with members of the climate action committee with the Existing Homes Alliance to discuss plans for the Heat in Buildings Bill and net zero targets.

Earlier this year, CIH Scotland published new research on Leadership and Culture in the Scottish Social Housing Sector. It concluded that while there is no appetite to introduce mandatory qualifications in Scotland, the sector would benefit from a more consistent approach to staff development and recommended a new outcome to be included in the Scottish Social Housing Charter.

With the Scottish government due to review the Charter this year, we recently held two roundtables to explore what a new outcome on professional development might look like and we will be using the feedback to help inform our response when the review is announced. 

If you have any questions or would like to discuss any of our work in more detail, please get in touch.