Housing seminar

Invitations to a major seminar in Dundee that will bring together leading professionals in housing and related sectors across the city and beyond are set to light up in boxes over the next few days.

The invitation-only forum later this year will examine and discuss critical issues facing the city including financial constraints; age, condition and location of existing properties; availability of land for house building; energy efficiency and timescales.

Organised by Dundee City Council, the Discovery Point event will draw on an understanding of local needs, circumstances and opportunities to focus on creating better outcomes which deliver safer and stronger communities and tackle poverty and inequality. 

Mark Flynn, convener of Dundee City Council’s neighbourhood regeneration, housing and estate management committee, will be one of the keynote speakers.

He said: “There is no point in us shrinking away from what we know are difficult issues for people in Dundee getting the right type of house, in the right place, at the right cost for their particular circumstances.

“The council has several significant policies and strategies in place to help to address these things, including the Council Plan and the Strategic Housing Investment Plan, but we simply cannot do it alone.

“Any response to the housing needs of a city like ours has to be a joint effort and by bringing together as many people as possible, representing all sectors, we can start to forge a co-operative and collaborative way ahead.”

Public, private and third sector agencies, developers and estate agents, as well as policymakers and housing leaders are being asked to gather in Dundee in June to air issues and investigate an effective city-wide way forward. 

The symposium aims to find creative and collaborative ways of helping to deliver housing-specific outcomes which contribute to the 2022-2032 City Plan’s vision of a caring Dundee which has tackled the root causes of poverty and delivered fairness, in a greener city, made up of strong communities where people feel empowered, safe and proud to live. 

Cllr Flynn added: “We are not shying away from the very real challenges Dundee faces and we understand completely the need for everyone to up their game.

“In recent months the council has begun an internal process of piloting and delivering some elements of our services in a different way.

“For example, the housing and construction team with the help and support of colleagues across the council and Tayside Contracts have focussed on creating more temporary accommodation for people experiencing homelessness.

“With the effort and focus that has been put on this particular area we are hopeful that we have turned a corner in our use of B&Bs and hotels as temporary accommodation for people who have become homeless.

“While I acknowledge that this is a work in progress and there is still more to be done, by taking a fresh look at housing across the board in collaboration with partners all over the city we can generate better outcomes for everyone.”

The Dundee Housing Seminar is scheduled to take place at the city’s Discovery Point on Wednesday June 26. 

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