Job title: Policy Officer
During his time at SCSH, Andrew conducted a number of high-profile pieces of research.
- ■ ‘In Need of Support? A Survey of Supporting People providers six month’s on’ considered the experiences of Housing Support Providers following the first six months of Supporting People funding.
- ■ ‘Mind the Gap – Plugging Scotland’s Social Housing Need’ was a survey of Local Housing Strategy Officers to determine the level of affordable social rented housing needed in Scotland.
- ■ ‘Is Anyone Home? - Modelling Scotland’s Affordable Social Rented Housing to 2012 and Beyond’ , a joint publication with the Chartered Institute of Housing in Scotland, considered how Scottish Executive’s plans for affordable rented housing could affect the abilities of local authorities to fulfill their statutory duties under homelessness legislation.
Whilst at SCSH Andrew lobbied and briefed MSPs during the passage of the Homelessness etc. (Scotland) Act 2003 and was successful in securing a number of amendments. He also helped co-ordinate SCSH’s response to the Code of Guidance on Homelessness. Andrew also lobbied on the Antisocial Behaviour etc. (Scotland) Act 2004, raising a number of issues surrounding the registration of private landlords.
Andrew represented SCSH on the Cross Party Group for Affordable Housing and was also a member of Clackmannanshire’s Homelessness Strategy Steering Group. He also maintained and facilitated the Homelessness Strategy Officers Network, inviting key speakers to the network’s quarterly meetings. Andrew has also been a member of two Scottish Executive Research Advisory Groups.
As co-author with Hector Currie, Andrew has also completed an evaluation of the Homelessness Appeals Procedure operated by the City of Edinburgh Council.
