Local Housing Strategy engagement in the Scottish Borders
Stakeholder and resident engagement can successfully inform future local housing strategy.
About the project
Scottish Borders are a Local Authority client that covers the borders of Edinburgh, Dumfries & Galloway, East Lothian, Midlothian, South Lanarkshire, and West Lothian.
Altair was commissioned by Scottish Borders to engage with stakeholders and residents about the planned housing strategy for the next 5 years. The project involved conducting sessions with residents and stakeholders shaped around 4 housing issues papers (Housing Supply and Place Making; Condition, Climate Change & Energy Efficiency; Particular Needs & Specialist Provision; Homelessness).
Our approach included using a variety of methods to engage a wide range of stakeholders and residents. We engaged with 196 residents across the borders and 98 stakeholders and did so through roundtable activities, focus groups and surveying resident engagement aligned with the population.
We were uniquely placed to deliver this work due to our experience of engaging with a broad range of residents and stakeholders, as well as our skills in gathering both qualitative and quantitative information.
We developed a good understanding of the delivery of local housing strategy and the depth of the challenges of providing housing in rural situ and addressing the issues you may not see in urban situ.
Results
The output for this project included a report for the council encompassing all the key findings using qualitative and quantitative analysis. This work can benefit future clients by offering an independent, impartial, and unique engagement with stakeholders and residents during specific engagements, which has helped Scottish Borders to inform their local housing strategy.
“We really enjoyed working with Altair - they were professional throughout the process and great to work with.”Donna Bogdanovic
