SHN to launch new Affordability Data Dashboard in response to sector challenge

The launch follows the Scottish Housing Regulator’s latest National Panel report, which highlights sustained concern among tenants about the affordability of their rent. Almost three quarters of respondents said they are worried about future affordability, with many having experienced difficulty paying their rent in the past year.

These findings reinforce the growing challenge for the sector: balancing increasing costs and investment requirements with tenants’ ability to pay—while demonstrating transparency, value for money and robust decision-making.

A strategic, high-level view of affordability

SHN’s new dashboard builds on pilot work with members over the past year, which has focused on developing a consistent, evidence-based approach to affordability analysis.

At its core, the model draws on national datasets—including income data—and applies equivalised measures of household income across different household types, enabling landlords to assess affordability in a way that reflects real-world variations in tenant circumstances.

This approach provides a high-level, strategic assessment of affordability, allowing organisations to:

• Understand affordability pressures across their tenant base
• Identify broad trends and risks at an organisational or regional level
• Support clear, evidence-based discussions at senior management and Board level

Importantly, the dashboard is designed to produce clear, accessible summaries—making it particularly valuable for Board reporting, business planning and rent-setting discussions.

Complementing, not duplicating, existing tools

SHN recognises that a number of organisations across the sector, including partners such as SFHA, already provide more detailed, household-level affordability tools.

The SHN dashboard is not designed to replace these. Instead, it offers something different:

• A high-level, organisation-wide view of affordability
• A consistent methodology using nationally derived data
• A tool to support strategic decision-making and governance

Used together, these approaches are complementary—providing both the strategic overview and the granular insight needed to fully understand affordability.

A proactive response to regulatory focus

With affordability continuing to feature prominently in regulatory scrutiny, the ability to demonstrate a clear and evidence-based approach is increasingly important.

SHN’s dashboard enables members to take a proactive approach—supporting:

• Robust, data-led rent setting
• Clear articulation of affordability considerations
• Strong governance and Board assurance
• Alignment with evolving regulatory expectations

Andrea Finkel-Gates, Chief Executive of Scotland’s Housing Network, said:

“Affordability is one of the defining challenges facing our sector, and it is becoming increasingly complex.  Through our pilot work, we’ve focused on developing a robust, consistent approach to analysing affordability using national data and equivalised income measures—giving landlords a clearer, high-level view of the pressures facing their tenants.  This is not about replacing detailed affordability tools; it’s about complementing them. Our dashboard provides the strategic overview—helping organisations and Boards understand the bigger picture, ask the right questions, and make informed decisions.  At a time when the Regulator is highlighting the scale of concern among tenants, it is essential that landlords can evidence how they are considering affordability in a structured and transparent way. This new service is designed to do exactly that.”

Looking ahead

Further details on the dashboard—including functionality, access and how to get involved—will be shared with members ahead of the September launch.