Read all the shortlisted entries into this award category, housing organisation of the year, at the Scotland Housing Awards (SHA) 2025 and find out who won the award on the night.
This award recognises the social landlord or letting agency that has delivered a truly excellent service for their tenants over the past year.
This award was sponsored by Scottish Federation of Housing Associations.
BHA - Realising the power of home
Berwickshire Housing Association
At Berwickshire Housing Association (BHA), our vision is ‘to realise the power of home’ for our 2,000 customers in the Scottish Borders. We believe we are a sector-leading organisation through our approach to domestic abuse. Our commitment to the CIH ‘Make A Stand’ pledge inspired a Scottish Borders-wide approach with Borders Housing Network (BHN) colleagues in Scottish Borders Housing Association, Eildon and Waverley Housing Associations joining us to make a collective recommitment in 2023, following the Policies not Promises report. Our chief executive has shared her expertise and insights on a Scottish Housing News podcast around the developing Housing Bill around domestic abuse and similarly, as a sector leader, Michelle actively encourages other chief executives that domestic abuse is everyone’s business and spoke at the SFHA national conference on the issue earlier this year and is due to appear at the Housing Community Summit in Liverpool later this year. BHA also supported the development of the domestic abuse toolkit with the SFHA and hosts all-colleague domestic abuse training, with specific and focussed sessions for colleagues depending on their role. We lead a group of colleague volunteers from the wider BHN to form domestic abuse workplace support (DAWS). This year, we’ve also been one of seven providers to access national homelessness prevention funding and the only provider with a focus on domestic abuse support in line with the new aspects of the upcoming Housing Bill.

It’s been a challenging few years for a small rural housing association like BHA. Each of our neighbourhood managers look after around 350 homes, complimented by tenancy sustainment and income teams to support our customers to thrive. National charity Penumbra provides specialist mental health and tenancy support through our highly regarded BeWell service, and more locally, our BHN Warm and Well service supports with metering issues and energy debt. Our values Brilliant Basics, Learn and Grow, Inspire Together and Embrace Change provide foundation to our aim of outstanding customer experience and doing what we say we’ll do. Our ‘Customer Connect Visits’ have seen us prioritise our customer relationship and have accessed more than 85 per cent of our homes to have meaningful, supportive conversations with customers in the last 12 months, in addition to our repairs and statutory access visits.
In late 2024, we’ve moved to a new repairs framework model which has added flexibility and improved services to our customers. By year end 2024/25, we’ve received a 50 per cent increase in contractor compliments. Our feedback following repairs being carried out went from around 73 per cent satisfaction in early 2024, to a current position of 94 per cent satisfaction, with some of our contractors achieving 100 per cent across all measures.

Our commitment to making BHA a great place to work is in all we do. It is the lifeblood of what we do to ensure we retain good people, attract good people who feel rewarded, motivated and determined to deliver an outstanding customer experience for our communities. We’ve transformed our engagement approach, providing all colleagues a platform and opportunity to share their views and develop themselves. We use our collective networks alongside creative use of our development budget to ensure colleagues can access opportunities to develop themselves and their career. We’re passionate advocates of professionalism, with most of our colleagues holding CIH qualifications. Since 2021, we’ve invested in the GEM Programme as well as many specialist qualifications to help us increase the skills of our people. In 2025, our director of customer and communities was elected as the next vice president of the CIH, pending the AGM later this year.
We’ve used this section to share more around our work to make BHA a brilliant place to work that empowers colleagues to deliver outstanding, person-centred service to our customers. Psychological safety is a top priority in our business plan – already our work has colleagues feeling increasingly comfortable to speak up, admit mistakes, display vulnerability without fear of repercussions. We’ve developed behavioural maps rooted in our values – our approach has delivered so much in terms of performance, innovation and trust. All our work is focused on delivering outstanding services to our customers. This key strand of our change programme has strengthened our approach to wellbeing, health and safety of our people working patch based in our communities. We’re immensely proud of our progress on psychological safety since launching this in 2023, especially so since launching Hive in September 2023. Hive is a peer to peer recognition tool – since launching, colleagues have sent and received over 2000 messages of thanks and recognition to each other linked to our values. Our collaborative culture and approach to support for colleagues to go out and be brilliant in our communities resulted in BHA being listed as one of the Sunday Times Best Companies in 2025.
Riverside Scotland - Beyond Bricks and Mortar: Riverside Scotland’s People-First Approach Delivers Lasting Change
Statement of support
Riverside Scotland has demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and impact in the housing sector over the past year. Through pioneering services, strategic partnerships, and a deep commitment to tenant wellbeing, the organisation has not only improved housing outcomes but also influenced wider policy and practice.
Leading change in housing policy
Riverside Scotland is proud to lead Scotland’s first Housing First for Families service, a groundbreaking initiative offering intensive, person-centred support to families at risk of homelessness. In 2024/25, the service supported 40 families in North Ayrshire, earning a “Very Good” rating from the Care Inspectorate. Its expansion into Dumfries & Galloway reflects its success and growing influence in shaping family-focussed housing support models across Scotland.
Delivering exceptional services and outcomes
Riverside Scotland’s commitment to tenant wellbeing is evident in its wide-ranging support initiatives. The affordability officer secured over 393,000k in financial gains for tenants through expert money advice, while the Helping Hands Fund provided 5,000k in emergency support for essentials like food, fuel, and furniture. The Bed Poverty Fund, in partnership with Bell Group and James Frew, delivered 20 beds and bedding to families in need. And driving lessons were funded for four tenants to support independence and employment opportunities.
The organisation launched a device lending library and partnered with digital inclusion agencies to bridge the digital divide. Community wellbeing was supported through a vibrant programme of events in retirement living schemes and neighbourhoods, alongside B&Q vouchers for home and garden improvements.
Customer satisfaction was 87 per cent in the latest customer survey conducted in spring 2025.
Empowering communities and building futures
Riverside Scotland’s approach to community empowerment is both practical and inspiring. The Community Fund enabled local groups to deliver family fun days and school holiday events, fostering stronger community ties. Tenants in crisis were supported through tenant partner budgets, while Cash for Kids applications and food bank partnerships ensured no one was left behind.
A standout initiative was the House to Home project in Kilwinning, delivered in partnership with Bell Group and CEIS Ayrshire. Four unemployed young people redecorated a local community hall, gaining hands-on experience in painting and decorating. Two participants have since applied for apprenticeships—demonstrating the project’s life-changing potential.
In 2024, Riverside Scotland launched its Communities & Livelihoods Strategy, a long-term commitment to improving tenant wellbeing and strengthening neighbourhoods. Key outcomes included a tenant-led review of the complaints process, customer consultations on planned maintenance, health and wellbeing activities, and new partnerships with employability agencies.
Investing in people and the future of housing
Succession planning and professional development are embedded in Riverside Scotland’s culture. It actively promotes housing as a career choice, offering school placements and work experience opportunities. In 2025 it supported a week-long school placement, gaining insight into tenant participation, estate management, and community wellbeing. This initiative reflects Riverside Scotland’s belief in nurturing future talent.
Celebrating and inspiring community spirit
To mark Volunteers’ Week, Riverside Scotland launched a campaign to celebrate community champions, whose stories were shared online to inspire others. Winners received 100 pounds shopping vouchers, recognising their invaluable contributions and encouraging wider engagement.
Sustaining tenancies and building resilience
With high tenancy sustainment and low property turnover, Riverside Scotland’s impact is clear. Its holistic, tenant-first approach ensures that individuals and families not only have a place to live but the tools and support to thrive.
Riverside Scotland is more than a housing provider—it is a catalyst for change, a champion of community, and a leader in delivering innovative, compassionate housing solutions. Through its pioneering services, strategic partnerships, and unwavering commitment to people, Riverside Scotland has truly earned its place as a contender for Housing Organisation of the Year.
Outcomes and achievements
Riverside Scotland has delivered outstanding impact across the sector, demonstrating leadership, innovation, and a deep commitment to tenant wellbeing. In 2024/25, it led Scotland’s first Housing First for Families service, supporting 40 families at risk of homelessness with a 100 per cent tenancy sustainment rate and earning a “Very Good” Care Inspectorate rating. The service’s expansion into Dumfries & Galloway highlights its growing influence on national housing policy.
The organisation secured over 393,000k in financial gains for tenants, provided 5,000k emergency support through the Helping Hands Fund, provided 20 beds in partnership with Bell Group and James Frew and funded driving lessons for four tenants. Digital inclusion was advanced through a device lending library and partnerships with tech access agencies.
Riverside Scotland empowered communities through local events, food bank partnerships, and the House to Home project, which helped unemployed young people gain skills and apply for apprenticeships. It also invested in future talent through school placements and work experience, promoting housing as a career.
With 87 per cent customer satisfaction, high tenancy sustainment, and low turnover, Riverside Scotland’s tenant-first approach is delivering real, lasting change. Its celebration of volunteers and commitment to community spirit further cements its role as a compassionate, forward-thinking housing leader.
Blue Triangle - Blue Triangle
Statement of support
Blue Triangle is a registered social care provider and Registered Social Landlord (RSL), providing safe, psychologically and trauma-informed housing support at across 10 local authorities. They support over 400 people daily across their 29 services, via:
The people they support include young people, homeless families, asylum seekers, and individuals in recovery. They offer not only a safe place to stay, but also the tools to rebuild their lives. More than two out of five of the people supported by Blue Triangle last year have successfully gone on to move into their own tenancies.
CPD
Blue Triangle strives to be an excellent place to work. They have a comprehensive staff development program, from induction onwards. Their in-house Learning and Development Team designs and delivers bespoke training courses for staff, taught by experts with professional and lived experience, at their two training suites in Glasgow with capacity for up to 32 people. Their training program evolves continually to reflect the evolving needs of staff and their supported people. They fully fund frontline staff to work towards their SVQ three (support workers) and four (service managers). Staff also have access to THRIVE, their internal digital learning platform with over 25 courses and 900 learning materials.
2025 highlights
Outcomes and achievements
Trust Housing Association - Trust - much more than a landlord
Statement of support
Trust - Redefining modern landlord services in Scotland
Trust is one of Scotland’s leading social landlords, operating across 23 local authority areas. However, they are far more than a housing provider. Trust has a strong reputation for delivering high-quality homes and care for later living, along with affordable housing for people of all ages. At the heart of their work is a powerful purpose: to make a lasting, positive difference in the lives of customers and the communities they serve.
With a person-centred and innovative approach, Trust is reshaping what it means to be a modern landlord. They play a leading role in shaping national housing policy and are at the forefront of developing housing and care services for older people. Trust ensures continuity of care by delivering services through onsite staff, supporting people to live independently in their own homes for longer while remaining connected to their communities.
Trust is also recognised as a 'Leader in Diversity', setting sector standards in inclusive practice. Their bold five-year strategy, launched in 2021, marked a turning point focused on sustainability, customer experience, and continuous improvement. This strategy centres on delivering 10/10 customer experiences by placing customers and frontline teams at the heart of everything they do.
The organisation has shown strong leadership through recent challenges, including the cost of living crisis, by supporting customers and taking steps to reduce its carbon footprint. Trust is also undergoing a digital transformation. New tools such as a customer relationship management system, online applications, and a self-service customer portal have modernised how customers engage with services. In the next 12 months, even more digital options will become available, offering greater convenience and accessibility.
Trust is a growing organisation that partners with others who share their values and bring fresh ideas. Over the last five years, Trust has expanded from 2,500 to nearly 4,000 homes. Their new build programme has added 111 homes, supporting their mission to increase the supply of affordable housing. Recent partnerships, including those with the Scottish government, Glasgow City Council, and Edinburgh City Council, have enabled Trust to acquire three later living developments, transitioning 101 homes from the private to the social rented sector and securing long-term benefits for both tenants and employees.
People are at the centre of Trust’s work. With nearly 700 employees across Scotland, Trust is a large and values-driven employer. Their inclusive culture has earned them the Investors in People 'Platinum' accreditation since 1998. All staff are paid at least the Real Living Wage, demonstrating a commitment to fair work.
A key pillar of their strategy is ‘growing their own’ – building a strong workforce for the present and future. Trust invests in its people through an e-learning platform that supports personalised learning plans. Their 2024 Investors in People review reaffirmed their Platinum status and recognised their focus on learning and development.
Trust places high importance on succession planning and professional growth. A strategic workforce planning framework helps identify future capability needs and align them with a pipeline of internal talent. As a result, vacancies are frequently filled from within – evidenced by 40 per cent of the current executive team having been promoted internally.
Trust is more than a housing provider; they are a forward-thinking organisation driven by values, committed to improving lives, and leading positive change across the housing sector in Scotland.
Outcomes and achievements
Trust Housing – 2024/25 projects and initiatives
Leading change
Customers
People
Parkhead Housing Association - Back and embedded in our community
Statement of support
After covid as Parkhead, Glasgow, and Scotland returned to normal we listened to what our tenants were telling us. They didn’t want a call centre approach and they didn’t want a staff team based remotely only appearing on the estate when there was a problem. Rather they wanted the personal touch. Housing officers that they knew and who knew them. Technical officers they could ring up and ask to come round within the hour and look at a repair. A chief executive who was regularly visible in the community. So that’s what we provided. A local office open five days a week and where you could pop in without an appointment. Every tenant was given their own housing officers direct mobile phone number. Our welfare rights team and our chief executive established their own drop ins at the local Parkhead School House. At this same school house and nearby green space and gardens we delivered a series of social events for all ages and for all of our ever diversifying ethnic community as well as facilitating and organising the local pantry.
Parkhead Housing Association were back and embedded in the local community delivering service excellence across core housing activities for that community, supporting that community across a range of wider role activities including welfare benefits, foodbank referrals, job creation via our subsidiary estate based contractor and community benefits from our new build contractor. We committed to visiting ever property bi-annually and took full advantage of technology to launch a tenants portal to ease the process of rent payments, repair reporting, and housing applications.
Our senior management team, our chair and vice chair contributed across a number of policy events held by such as the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations, The Chartered Institute of Housing, Glasgow and West of Scotland Forum of Housing Associations, and Employers in Voluntary Housing. In addition the association hosted politicians from both parliaments and Glasgow City Chambers trying to push the case for housing. We also engaged with two local secondary schools contributing to the citizenship agenda and promoting social housing as a career of choice.
Currently on site with a sixteen flat new build and with a history of developing on a small local scale we made the decision eight years ago that on all new build one third of the lets should go to homeless persons and that has delivered across three projects since.
Succession planning is key to our ongoing success and to that end we recruit new board members locally and provide and access training for board members so they have the skills and confidence to take on board positions. Currently we have four staff members studying a variety of professional qualifications and in the last year staff received training covering such topics as procurement, menopause awareness, and equalities.
We relaunched our in-house subsidiary estate based contractor Parkhead Development Company in partnership with our housing management team and the tenants are seeing the benefits already as we deal with footfall of 60,000 going through Parkhead regularly during the football season.
In summary we have delivered what our tenants wanted producing excellent key performance indicators and financial returns from our business perspective while delivering the community activity and cohesion from our social hearts.
Outcomes and achievements
This section is split into two parts, firstly the headline business performance indicators and secondly the numbers from the local community attending Parkhead HA led events:
Muirhouse Housing Association - Together We Adapt and Transform Lives for Good
Statement of support
Muirhouse Housing Association has undergone a period of meaningful change which was driven from our values of trust, respect, support, and quality.
As the needs and expectations of our tenants and staff have grown more diverse and dynamic, we recognise the importance of adapting our services and ensuring we are creating a meaningful impact within our local community.
Four-day working week
Tenants expressed a desire for more flexible and accessible support for our range of services. Whilst staff shared a need for greater work life balance and wellbeing.
Through open consultation and collaborative dialogue, we co-designed an approach that reflects the realities of modern life, introducing a four-day working week that maintains a high-quality service while supporting both tenant needs and staff wellbeing.
This shift is more than a change in opening hours, it is a reflection of our belief that listening leads to lasting impact, and that housing services should be shaped by the people who live and work within them.
Consultation
In partnership with our community, we introduced a four-day working week, carefully designed to maintain service quality while enhancing accessibility and support. This shift allowed us to:
The result is a housing association that’s not only more efficient, but more human where every voice matters, and every change reflects our core values.
Following on from meaningful consultation involving tenants, staff and other stakeholders during a 12 month pilot the four-day week was implemented on a permanent basis from 1 January 2025.
Rent harmonisation project
To ensure fairness and transparency in our rent harmonisation initiative, we designed and implemented a robust, multi-stage consultation process that placed tenants at the heart of decision-making.
Throughout the rent harmonisation project, our commitment to trust, respect, quality, and support was embedded in every stage of the consultation process. We built trust by being transparent about the reasons for change and by openly sharing data and proposed models. We demonstrated respect by actively listening to tenants voices through inclusive, accessible engagement methods and adapting our approach based on feedback. Our focus on quality ensured that the process was evidence-based, well-governed, and rigorously assessed for fairness. We provided support by offering clear guidance, personalised communication, and practical assistance to help residents understand and navigate the changes.
Consultation
Early engagement and communication with tenants was paramount during this process. A communication strategy was developed to ensure clarity, accessibility, and consistency across all channels. We created plain-language materials explaining the rationale for rent harmonisation, potential impacts, and implementation timeline.
To ensure that we reached a diverse audience and accommodate different preferences, we used a variety of consultation methods:
Information on current rents, benchmarking comparisons and proposed harmonisation models were presented including details on how the ‘new model’ may affect them personally.
All feedback received during the consultation was logged, analysed and reported, detailing how tenant feedback influenced the final model.
A clear and transparent explanation of the final rent harmonisation decision was communicated to all tenants and individualised letters were sent outlining changes, with support offered for those needing financial advice or assistance.
The rent harmonisation commenced on 1 April 2025 and positive feedback has been received.
Outcomes and achievements
Through the successful delivery of the four-day week and rent harmonisation projects, we’ve shown how 'Together We Adapt' shaping fairer, more effective services guided by our values of trust, support, respect, and quality.
The four-day week transformed how we work, boosting productivity, wellbeing, and service quality. Staff felt more empowered and focused, while tenants experienced more responsive, meaningful interactions.
Rent harmonisation tackled long-standing inconsistencies, creating a fairer, clearer system. We built trust through open consultation, respected diverse voices, and supported tenants with clear communication and guidance.
Together, these projects reflect our commitment to adapting not just to meet challenges, but to create lasting meaningful improvements for tenants, staff, and communities.
Looking ahead we remain committed by continuing to listen, learn and evolve in partnership with our tenants, staff, communities and other stakeholders to ensure that we are resilient, inclusive and responsive to future needs.
Elderpark Housing - Another Year Elder - Elderpark at 50!
Statement of support
Elderpark Housing is one of the first community based housing associations within Glasgow and we are celebrating our 50th anniversary this year. Throughout our history, we have been a leading and forward thinking organisation; from our first new build homes in 1982 through to present day where we still deliver new homes, are an employer of choice and more importantly a central part of the local community.
Evidence of leading and informing change
The association has strong representation both at national board level in the form of bodies like SFHA, CIH and SHARE, together with extensive partnership and engagement within the local community and city region.
We regularly participate in focus and working groups on areas including governance and regulation, energy efficiency and net zero, housing market analysis and many other topics to ensure we are an active participant in the sector.
The association is recognised across the sector as a prominent and effective partner, as a partner of choice, both because of our approach to innovation, but also the broader reputation, for which we are widely known and respected.
Evidence of delivering an exceptional service for tenants and communities
The association has recently carried out an independent tenant satisfaction survey which asked 600 tenants their views on a range of areas, and while charter indicator performance is valuable, what gives the greatest sense of pride was that tenants felt we demonstrated our values, with over 90 per cent of those asked agreeing or agreeing strongly that we were caring, adaptable, fair, open and reliable.
In this same survey we asked how tenants felt around us being helpful, listening and respectful with 95 per cent of those asked the question feeling we displayed those traits in any contact they have had.
Over the course of the year we have worked closely with partners across the community in sectors such as education, sport and employability, demonstrating our holistic approach to community.
Evidence of succession planning and professional development
The association is proud of our achievements in developing our colleagues to achieve their potential. In all recent recruitment exercises for the association, the candidates have consistently said that our reputation for developing people, supporting growth and a learning culture has been a key part of their desire to work for the association.
We have seen colleagues move onto to successful opportunities throughout the year, including one moving to CEO position within a national housing organisation. Other colleagues that are keen to develop their careers have taken on positive opportunities within the organisation.
Several Elderpark colleagues are board members within other associations across the sector, recognising our support for their development. We also invest heavily in further education and training for colleagues, with opportunities to undertake professional qualifications offered to all.
The association was proud to see, colleagues win or be shortlisted for awards for their dedication to the association and community over the past 12-18 months, as well as a significant award for our chair persons contribution to the housing sector.
The CEO speaks regularly at events and is an associate trainer with SHARE which demonstrates our support for not just Elderpark but the broader sector.
Anything else that has put your organisation on the map
The City of Glasgow recently held a civic reception for the organisation to celebrate our fiftieth anniversary which was attended by around 100 guests with a number of colleagues who had spent over 40 years of their careers with the association, a former chair person who had received royal recognition for her services to social housing and two former directors who have been pivotal figures in social housing over last five decades at local and national level.
Outcomes and achievements
When considering the criteria for the award the achievements are often about doing the right things well rather than just the big things, for us these include:
However as noted earlier perhaps the single biggest success in the year is not the visible signs of new windows, new homes being built, awards being won or events being attended but that our tenants feel strongly and almost universally that we care, we are adaptable, we are reliable, we are fair and we are open.
Caledonia Housing Association - Making Life Better
Statement of support
In 2024–25, Caledonia Housing Association helped make life better for thousands of people across Scotland. Operating across eight local authority areas, we deliver homes to over 5,500 tenants and factoring services to 2,300 homeowners. As we grow, we remain rooted in what matters most – being present in our communities, responding to needs, and making a meaningful difference to people’s lives.
Empowering our people to lead change
We know our people drive the change we want to see. In 2024, we were recognised as the highest-placed Scottish housing association in the UK’s Top 25 Housing Associations to Work For and ranked 17th in the Top 50 Scottish Companies by Best Companies.
This achievement reflects our investment in colleagues. Last year, 33 managers completed Blueprint for Success – our bespoke nine-month leadership programme – supported by mentoring, job shadowing, and collaborative project groups. Behind every high-performing team at Caledonia is an outstanding people-focussed manager.
Every staff member now benefits from a digital personal learning plan, underpinned by a training and development programme, while line managers have the skills and knowledge to unlock the potential of their teams and drive improvement.
We also maintain a 1:10 Mental Health First Aider ratio and provide specialist wellbeing support for frontline teams – ensuring staff are better equipped to support tenants. To strengthen our leadership and future-proof the organisation, we restructured our executive team in 2024, introducing a streamlined leadership model and enhanced head of service tier to improve collaboration and ensure resilience. At Caledonia, we recognise standing still will mean falling behind – we need to be prepared to redesign to realign with new business priorities.
Putting communities at the heart of what we do
As we grow, we remain focussed on our guiding principle to “keep it personal”. Our locally embedded approach means we can respond quickly to what matters most in each neighbourhood. Over the past year, we strengthened our 23 Neighbourhood Hubs, working closely with partners to deliver tailored support where needed. In 2024–25, these hubs helped thousands of tenants access practical advice, and unclaimed benefits – easing financial pressures, tackling fuel poverty, and improving overall wellbeing.
Listening to tenant feedback, we launched tailored local newsletters – ensuring tenants receive timely, relevant information shaped by local insight and experience.
We launched our Giving Back Fund, directing proceeds from our office estate transformation to over 40 local organisations – funding food projects, youth programmes, and mental health charities nominated by staff to strengthen and support the communities we serve.
Turning values into action
Our values go beyond words – they shape the way we work and the difference we make every day. In 2024–25, we invested in practical support to help tenants live safely, independently, and with dignity. Our care and repair service provided home adaptations for 330 households, and we significantly increased funding for stage three adaptations, ensuring more tenants could remain in their own homes for longer.
Local initiatives such as the Cordale Gardening Scheme brought neighbours together, helping older tenants and fostering belonging. We also made 1,300 paid volunteering hours available to staff, resulting in tangible community benefits – from foodbank collections to river cleans and support for local events.
Our HOPE and community anchor roles strengthened tenant wellbeing, helping build connections, reduce isolation, and create thriving communities. These actions show how our values translate into real-world impact, delivering more than homes – we’re creating opportunities, support networks, and stronger places for people to live well.
We’ve also adopted an ESG reporting framework, strengthening transparency and accountability for our social and environmental impact – ensuring the actions we take today, create lasting value for future generations.
Outcomes and achievements