The Scottish housing sector has launched two new surveys aimed at gathering insight into the relationship between housing and health, highlighting the growing recognition that quality housing plays a critical role in supporting both physical and mental wellbeing.
The initiative has been developed by partners involved in Scottish Housing Day, including CIH Scotland, the Scottish Government, housing providers and third-sector organisations. The surveys are designed to understand how effectively housing and support services are currently contributing to healthier communities, identify ongoing challenges, and help shape future priorities for the sector.
Supporting Health Through Better Housing
The findings from the surveys will inform a report due to be published on Scottish Housing Day 2026, which takes place on 16 September 2026. This year’s theme,“Healthy Homes, Healthy Futures”, focuses on the vital role housing plays in promoting positive health outcomes for both residents and housing professionals.
Two separate surveys have been created:
- A survey for tenants and residents.
- A survey for housing practitioners and organisations.
The organisers hope the responses will provide valuable evidence on the housing factors that influence health and wellbeing, helping policymakers and housing providers develop more effective approaches to supporting communities.
Industry-Wide Collaboration
Ashley Campbell, Policy and Practice Manager at CIH Scotland and Chair of the Scottish Housing Day Working Group, highlighted the importance of engaging with both residents and professionals across the sector. The surveys have been designed to be quick and accessible, encouraging broad participation and helping to ensure a diverse range of experiences and perspectives are captured.
to completing the surveys, housing organisations are being encouraged to contribute case studies, share examples of good practice, publish articles, and host events or discussions that explore the connection between housing and health.
Why This Matters
The housing sector increasingly recognises that secure, safe and well-maintained homes can have a significant impact on health outcomes. Issues such as damp, poor energy efficiency, affordability pressures and housing insecurity can all affect residents’ wellbeing, making the integration of housing and health strategies more important than ever.
The Scottish Housing Day initiative provides an opportunity for the sector to share learning, promote innovation and strengthen the role housing plays in creating healthier futures for communities across Scotland.