The research, titled Beyond bricks and mortar: Recognising housing associations’ role in Scotland’s economy, seeks to evidence the impact of housing associations as a national driver of fairer and faster economic growth.

Professor Maclennan is an applied economist specialising in housing, neighbourhoods and cities with his professional background involving both senior academic and policy roles in Australia, Canada and the UK.

His recent work has advocated for a whole system approach, recognising the economic drivers and adverse consequences of poor housing outcomes, to tackling the housing polycrisis. This includes a major report he authored with the David Hume Institute last year titled Prosperity Begins At Home. The report had argued for a radical shift in the understanding of housing as just a social issue to instead be recognised as a critical economic infrastructure shaping jobs, economic growth and environment.

The new research commissioned by SFHA is due to report later this year and will build on the themes of the Prosperity Begins At Home report.

As part of the research, SFHA member housing associations will shortly receive a survey to share their insights into the scale and economic reach of their organisation. Professor Maclennan will use these insights along with other research on how housing outcomes impact health, education and accessibility to jobs in ways that shape growth and productivity.

The aim of outlining the full contribution of housing associations to Scotland’s economy comes as the country is set to go to the polls for May’s Scottish Parliament election. The research findings will provide an opportunity for elected MSPs to understand the full scale and reach of Scotland’s housing associations as a driver for economic growth and productivity. Abating the housing polycrisis requires a change in mindsets, systems and outcomes and the research will provide a coherent economic story for politicians and practitioners that has been missing too long in Scotland.

SFHA chief executive, Richard Meade, said: “Housing associations and co-operatives have been an integral part of Scotland’s social fabric for decades providing over 300,000 secure, warm and affordable homes in communities everywhere from Shetland to the Scottish Borders.

“However, as well as their unique social purpose, housing associations make a significant contribution to Scotland’s economy. They provide tens of thousands of jobs, invest significantly in communities and the social infrastructure they create is vital to supply chains and businesses throughout the country.  

“We are delighted to commission the David Hume Institute and Professor Duncan Maclennan to better evidence the contribution of housing associations to Scotland’s economy. This research will show the impact housing associations have on the economy and the contributions they make to meeting  Scotland’s economic missions..

“Ending the housing emergency is not only a moral imperative, but it is also an economic imperative. This research will set out an evidence-based business case for investing in housing associations to create a more prosperous country.”

Professor Duncan Maclennan said: “Housing has too often been viewed narrowly as a social issue, when in reality it is a fundamental part of a well-functioning economy.

“This research will explore how housing associations contribute not only to meeting housing need, but to improving productivity, supporting labour markets and enabling sustainable economic growth across Scotland.

“By taking a whole-system perspective, we can better understand the full economic value of the sector and its role in shaping a more prosperous future.”

Susan Murray, director of the David Hume Institute, said: “This research builds on our work highlighting housing as essential economic infrastructure.

“At a time when Scotland is focused on growth and productivity, it is vital that we fully recognise the contribution housing associations make – not just socially, but economically.

“By strengthening the evidence base, this research will help inform policy and investment decisions that support both communities and long-term economic resilience.”