Scottish Empty Homes Conference 2023

The Scottish Empty Homes Conference returns in 2023

With the theme Repair, Reuse, Revitalise, the 12^th Scottish Empty Homes Conference was held on Wednesday 1 March 2023 at The Engine Shed, Stirling.

Thank you to all those who were able to join us in person or via the digital platform. We are also very grateful to our speakers for their time and engaging presentations.

Many thanks to our gold sponsor Finders International, silver sponsors Auction House Scotland, Fraser & Fraser, and Brodies LLP, and bronze sponsor Online Property Auctions for their support of this year’s conference.

As announced at the conference, SEHP is partnering with housing specialists Arneil Johnston, to launch new guidance to assist local authorities bring some of Scotland’s nearly 43,000 long term empty homes back into use. The documents are available to view and download from the links below -

Framework Guide

Framework Template

Videos of all presentations can be viewed here:

Keynote address

Shona Robison MSP

Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Housing and Local Government

https://vimeo.com/805146681

Gold sponsor welcome

Katie Watson

Public Sector Development Manager – Empty Homes

Finders International

https://vimeo.com/805150218

Presentation

From Empty Homes to Social Housing

John Kerr

Housing Development & Homelessness Manager

West Dunbartonshire Council

https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/805148632

Presentation

Applying Big Ideas to Small Houses

Chris Morgan

Director

John Gilbert Architects

https://vimeo.com/805150550

Presentation

Breakout session 1: Sustaining Homes, People and Communities

Catrin Evans

Trusts and Foundations Fundraising Officer

Community Impact Initiative Wales

Scottish Empty Homes Awards 2023

The Scottish Empty Homes Awards recognise and celebrate the outstanding work and achievements of individuals and organisations in the revitalisation of empty homes across Scotland. The award ceremony is held as part of our annual Empty Homes Conference

Winners of 2023 Awards Announced!

Scottish Empty Homes Partnership has announced the winners of the Finders International 12th Scottish Empty Homes Awards.

The awards are a great opportunity to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of the people behind this progress, as our network continues with its mission to transform empty spaces into thriving places. They recognise and celebrate the outstanding work and achievements of individuals and organisations in the revitalisation of empty homes across Scotland.

Many thanks to all those who submitted nominations and congratulations to our winners!

The winners for this year’s awards are as follows:

Best use of empty homes work to create social/affordable housing: For strong contribution to increasing supply of social/affordable housing.

Winner:

Grapes South of Scotland Community Housing

Finalists:

Holmhead Place Glasgow City Council
High Street Perth & Kinross Council

Best retrofit of an empty home: For an excellent environmentally friendly improvement to an empty home.

Winner:

Jameswood Villa, Argyll & Bute Council

Finalists:

Niddrie Regeneration, LAR Housing Trust
Balantrushal Lewis, Western Isles Council

Best use of data to inform empty homes practice: For outstanding examples of using information to get results.

Winner:

Matchmake to rent, Aberdeen City Council

Finalists:

Empty Homes Register, Fife Council
Data Insights, Homes for Good

Empty Homes rising star: For a new start making a positive impact on empty homes work.

Winner:

Michelle Morrison Dundee

Finalists:

Rachel Whale Scottish Borders
Karlene Docherty Perth & Kinross

The ceremony took place at the Scottish Empty Homes Conference on 1 March 2023 at The Engine Shed, Stirling.

Now in its twelfth year, the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership and its network of Empty Homes Officers and partners across Scotland have helped to bring more than 7,700 empty homes back into use.