Housing Strategy and Services

As part of the Social Work Services Department, the Housing Strategy and Services Team are responsible for:

production of the Local Housing Strategy and Strategic Housing Investment Plan
services to the private rented sector, including private landlord registration
home energy efficiency advice - grants for central heating, wall and loft insulation, home visits
liaison with Registered Social Landlords
housing research and needs assessment
funding the Shelter Scottish Borders Housing Advice helpline 0844 515 2422
housing information and advice.

Scottish Borders Council transferred all council housing stock and landlord functions to Scottish Borders Housing Association (SBHA) on 3 March 2003.

Local Housing Strategy

The Local Housing Strategy (LHS) sets out the actions that the Council and its partners intend to put into place to enhance the quality and supply of housing in the Scottish Borders. The Strategy is based upon research carried out by the Housing Strategy Team. After extensive public consultation, the LHS was submitted to Communities Scotland for approval on 30 April 2004.

Strategic Housing Investment Plan

The Strategic Housing Investment Plan (SHIP) shows how the affordable housing investment priorities set out in the Council’s Local Housing Strategy will be delivered in practice over the period 2009 – 2014.

Local Housing Assessment

In 2006, Scottish Borders Council commissioned Outside Research and Development to undertake a Local Housing Assessment for Scottish Borders. The aim of the assessment was to find out the main factors which affect the housing needs of people in the area, including local changes and trends. The Local Housing Assessment has been used to update the Local Housing Strategy and the Council's Affordable Housing Policy. A copy of the full report and summary are available.

Private Rented Sector

The Team is currently developing a range of services aimed at Private Sector landlords. These include implementing the private landlord registration scheme, co-ordinating the Private Landlords Forum, publishing a quarterly newsletter and raising awareness of new legislation. They are also implementing the Rent Deposit Guarantee Scheme and can provide advice on HMO licensing, gas and electricity certification and trading standards regulations. More information about these services is available.

Energy Efficiency

The promotion of domestic energy efficiency is also part of the remit of the Team. This work includes raising awareness of ways in which people can save money, energy and the environment, providing information on available grants and working with the Energy Efficiency Advice Centre in Edinburgh. More information is available by contacting the Home Energy Adviser on Tel. 01835 825169. The Home Energy Advice service has produced the following leaflets:

Saving Money on Energy Costs (pdf 828kb)
Dealing with Fuel Debt (pdf 880kb)
Installing Renewable Energy (pdf 848kb)

Minority Ethnic Communities

In 2007, Communities Scotland (with City of Edinburgh, East Lothian, Fife, Midlothian, Scottish Borders and West Lothian Councils) commissioned ODS Consulting to undertake research to explore the housing circumstances, needs and preferences of minority ethnic communities, excluding Gypsies/Travellers, who reside each of the local authority areas. The report (pdf 36.9kb) will help with future strategic planning and service provision by stakeholders operating in the area.

Contact us

Housing Strategy and Services
Council Headquarters, Newtown St Boswells TD6 0SA
Tel: 01835 825169
Contact Housing Strategy online

More information

Information about other housing issues are available from:

Homelessness Services - for advice or support about homelessness issues
Private Sector Housing Grants Team - for advice about home adaptations and improvements grants.