The Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Committee were scheduled to discuss a range of housing, homelessness and employment issues at their meeting on 23 September 2025. These included the Housing Emergency Action Plan, the Housing Revenue Account Budget Strategy, and Private Rented Sector Enforcement.

Homeless Accommodation and Support for Young People

The committee was scheduled to consider a report on homeless accommodation and support for young people in full-time education. The report provided an overview of current temporary accommodation provisions for young people, and the support offered to them by key workers, social workers, housing officers and school link advisors. The report noted a review of existing service provision, and the need to improve data recording and information to project demand more accurately. The committee was asked to note the report and refer it to the Education, Children and Families Committee on 2 November 2025.

Annual Assurance Statement on Housing Services

The committee was to consider the council's Annual Assurance Statement on Housing Services for 2024/25. This statement is required by the Scottish Housing Regulator¹ (SHR) and confirms that the council is meeting the requirements of the Regulatory Framework. The report highlighted areas where the council meets the required standards, and also areas where improvements are needed. The committee was asked to approve the Annual Assurance Statement and the Assurance Statement Summary of Compliance for formal submission to the SHR.

Oxcars and Inchmickery Court – Change to the Investment Strategy

The committee was scheduled to discuss a change to the investment strategy for Oxcars Court and Inchmickery Court, two multi-storey blocks in the Muirhouse area.

The report noted that following the development of designs, the estimated cost to retrofit the blocks had increased significantly, from £51.4 million to £86 million. As a result, the council was considering the viability of continuing with the investment.

The report stated that Inchmickery Court was largely decanted, with 24 void properties and 50 tenants in decant properties, while Oxcars Court had seven void properties and 68 tenanted properties, with decant yet to begin.

The committee was asked to agree to continue with detailed engagement with residents of both blocks, with the outcome of this, an outline of the findings to date and recommendations for next steps being presented to Committee in December 2025.

Mixed Tenure Improvement Service – Airey Duo Homes in Lochend and Restalrig

The committee was to consider a report on the Mixed Tenure Improvement Service² (MTIS) and Airey Duo homes in Lochend and Restalrig.

The report noted that the council's application for £846,000 match funding from the Scottish Government's Scottish Housing Net Zero Heat Fund³ (SHNZHF) had been unsuccessful. However, the Scottish Government had provided £2,967,550 to minimise the potential financial impact on private homeowners of insulating and improving the Airey Duo homes.

The committee was asked to agree that work proceeds on council-owned homes using Housing Revenue Account⁴ (HRA) capital funds estimated at £846,000.

Allocations Policy Suspension Update

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the suspension of the council's house letting policy, which had been in place since 25 April 2025, other than for people who have been awarded Gold or Urgent Gold Priority. The report included a communications plan. The committee was asked to note the report and refer it to the Policy and Sustainability, Finance Resources and Governance, Risk and Best Value Committees.

Housing Revenue Account Budget Strategy 2026/27

The committee was to consider the Housing Revenue Account⁵ (HRA) Budget Strategy for 2026/27. The report summarised the outturn position for 2024/25 and the month three revenue monitoring position for 2025/26. It also set out initial updates to the assumptions for the 2026/27 Business Plan.

The committee was asked to note the report, agree to seek tenants' views on the 2026/27 HRA Budget Strategy, and refer the report to the Finance and Resources Committee.

Housing and Homelessness and Business Growth and Inclusion: Revenue Budget Monitoring 2025/26

The committee was scheduled to receive a report on the revenue budget monitoring for Housing and Homelessness, and Business Growth and Inclusion for 2025/26. The report provided an overview of the 2024/25 outturn and the month three forecast for 2025/26.

The committee was asked to note the report.

Private Rented Sector Enforcement Update

The Regulatory Committee referred a report on the Private Rented Sector⁶ (PRS) Enforcement Update to the Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Committee for consideration.

The report provided an update on PRS enforcement activities and explained the links to Edinburgh's Local Housing Strategy 2025-30.

Affordable Childcare for Working Parents - Response to Motion by Councillor Aston

The committee was scheduled to consider a report responding to a motion by Councillor Danny Aston on affordable childcare for working parents. The report provided details of the new Affordable Childcare for Working Parents service and the reported impacts on organisations delivering the service.

The committee was asked to note the report.

ESOL for Employability Grants Programme

The committee was to consider a report on the ESOL⁷ for Employability Grants Programme. The report noted the work undertaken to commission an ESOL for employability support programme in Edinburgh, and asked the committee to approve the award of third-party grants to the services detailed in Appendix 3, up to a total maximum of £124,271 until 31 March 2026.

The committee was also asked to delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Place to adjust and extend ESOL for employability grants for an additional year, up to a maximum of £250,000, subject to satisfactory performance and outcomes as well as availability of Scottish Government No One Left Behind⁸ (NOLB) funding.

Edinburgh Blended Employability Services - Lot 2 Supported Employment Service

The committee was scheduled to consider a report on Lot 2 of the Edinburgh Blended Employability Services⁹ - the Supported Employment Service. The report asked the committee to approve the variation of the contract to add capacity to the service delivered by the All in Edinburgh consortium, at a total cost of up to £1,380,000 to be funded from funds held in reserves for employability purposes.

Convention Bureau Future Model

The committee was to consider a report outlining a proposal for the future model of the Convention Bureau¹⁰ (CVB) in Edinburgh. The report noted the positive impact of business tourism on Edinburgh's visitor economy and the importance of a CVB to co-ordinate and promote business tourism activities for the city.

The committee was asked to agree to the proposed Business Plan in Appendix 1, with a recommendation that the future model of the CVB continues to be managed in-house by the council, part-funded by the council and part-funded by industry.

Capital City Partnership: Progress Update

The committee was scheduled to receive a progress update from Capital City Partnership (CCP). The report noted the progress being made by CCP against their Service Level Agreement objectives and targets, and the challenges remaining for target client groups.

The committee was asked to note the report and refer it to the Governance, Risk and Best Value Committee for further scrutiny.

Housing Emergency Action Plan – Update

The committee was to consider a report providing an update on the Housing Emergency Action Plan¹¹ (HEAP). The report provided more detail on the updated programme plan, further information on programme governance and an update on the HEAP Key Performance Indicators.

The committee was asked to note the report.