Eydent – the alliance of Ayrshire housing associations – has held its first public conference.
It brought together volunteers and employees from across Ayrshire.
They heard a key note speech from Margaret Burgess MSP Scotland’s Minister for Housing and Welfare. She said “I was pleased to be present at the official launch of Eydent at the Scottish Parliament in February and it’s great to see how the organisation’s enthusiasm and commitment has enabled this conference to take place.
“This conference is a good opportunity for me to highlight some of the aims of the Scottish Government’s plans in the Housing Bill, introduced to Parliament in November. The Bill covers a wide range of housing issues. Its purpose is to safeguard the interests of consumers; to support improvements to the quality of housing; and to secure better outcomes for communities.
“Among other things in the social sector the Bill will end the right to buy and increase landlord’s flexibility in the allocation of houses. In the private sector the Bill proposes to regulate the letting agent industry and create a private rented sector housing tribunal to deal with disputes including eviction”.
Delegates then heard about the challenges of delivering better housing and care to the elderly, how we put tenants first and the potential impact of the Housing Bill. Links between housing and the quality of Ayrshire’s town centres where also addressed as well as how we can all work better in partnership.
Eydent is intends to hold further public events in the New Year.