Albyn Housing Society, the largest independent social housing provider in the Highlands, welcomed Emma Roddick MSP to their Inverness office to discuss shared priorities in supporting communities across the region.
The visit, arranged through the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA), provided an opportunity to highlight both the challenges facing tenants and the positive impact of Albyn’s work across the Highlands. Discussions focused on the delivery of new homes, support for tenancy sustainment, and the ongoing issue of fuel poverty in rural communities.
Albyn outlined its ambitious development programme, following the Board’s decision in 2024 to deliver over 600 new affordable homes over the next five years. This investment is a key contribution to addressing housing need across the Highlands, although the organisation also highlighted the impact that planning and infrastructure delays can have on the pace of delivery.
Supporting tenants to sustain their tenancy remains a core priority for Albyn. Through strong partnership working and the dedication of their staff teams, they deliver practical, early support including financial assistance, energy advice and targeted interventions to prevent tenancy breakdown.
Since 2023, Albyn teams have secured over £1 million in financial gains through a combination of internal and external funding, providing vital support to tenants most affected by the cost-of-living crisis and helping them to maintain their tenancies and avoid hardship.
Fuel poverty remains a critical challenge across the Highlands, where limited fuel choice leaves its homes reliant on more expensive, electricity-based heating systems. Albyn highlighted that rising energy costs, combined with this restricted access to more affordable fuel options, are forcing some tenants to under-heat their homes, not by choice but through affordability. This is increasingly likely to lead to damp and mould. Addressing this is not only a housing issue but a wider public health concern. Albyn continues to work closely with partners to mitigate these risks, improve the energy efficiency of its homes, and ensure tenants can afford to heat them safely.
The visit also provided an opportunity to showcase the positive outcomes being delivered by Albyn’s teams, whose work continues to make a meaningful difference from delivering new affordable homes to providing practical support that helps tenants and communities thrive.
Maureen Knight, Interim Group Chief Executive of Albyn Housing Society, said:
“We were pleased to welcome Emma Roddick MSP to Inverness and to have the opportunity to discuss both the challenges and the progress that Albyn is making across the Highlands. From our commitment to delivering over 600 new homes over the next five years, to the direct support we provide to help tenants sustain their tenancies, our teams are focused on making a real and lasting difference.
“Engagement with MSPs is vital in ensuring that the realities facing rural communities are understood, and that there is continued support for the investment and collaboration required to improve outcomes for our tenants. We look forward to continuing to work with our elected representatives and partners to address these challenges and build on the progress already being made.”
Emma Roddick MSP, who represents Inverness and Nairn, added:
“Local housing associations are vital, and it’s the delivery of social homes that we most need to tackle the housing emergency. I’m always happy to engage with Albyn and other providers in the Highlands to look at how we can work together to remove barriers and support their work – which we desperately need done.”I’m pleased that Albyn is so focused on tackling fuel poverty and preventing homelessness – two things also very important to me – and I look forward to working closely with them and the SFHA over the new parliamentary session.”