Latest technology-related news and developments in the Scottish housing sector
Ultrafast broadband rollout for council tenants
North Lanarkshire Council announced a major programme: all 36,000 council homes will be fitted with ultrafast broadband over the next five years — a significant tech inclusion effort for social housing digitally enabling tenants at scale. North Lanarkshire Council
Why it matters:
Better connectivity supports remote work/education, access to services, telehealth, and smart-home tech adoption.
Housing Innovation Awards finalists announced
The Housing Innovation Awards 2026 finalists were revealed in December, showcasing cutting-edge digital, sustainability, and tech-enabled projects from across the UK (including Scottish initiatives).
Scottish housing providers and innovators may feature prominently (e.g., in smart tech, digital services, retrofitting), highlighting sector innovation trends.
Reflections on housing quality & tech opportunities
Thought leadership pieces in December stressed the importance of well-maintained, safe housing — dovetailing with tech trends in monitoring, sensors, and proactive maintenance. Scottish Housing News
Year in review for built environment & tech overlap
A built environment sector review emphasised that issues like retrofit, energy targets, and housing quality are deeply intertwined, touching on digital/energy tech adoption and strategic planning for 2026. Scottish Construction Now
Recent & Ongoing Tech Trends Impacting Housing
These reflect broader innovation activity in late 2025 — some recently reported, others rolling into 2026:
Digital & Smart Sensors in Social Housing
Beginning in late 2025 and continuing into early 2026, sensor-based tech pilots (e.g., for environmental monitoring and maintenance triggers) are moving toward wider adoption across social housing providers, supported by Glasgow City Region funding and guidance for landlords. Scottish Housing News
This type of tech can help detect damp/mould, air quality issues, and reduce reactive repairs.
Telecare Digital Migration
Scotland’s Analogue to Digital Telecare Programme has progressed strongly in 2025, with tens of thousands of users transitioned to digital systems — improving reliability for older and vulnerable housing residents and supporting future smart support integration. digitaloffice.scot
Net-Zero & Smart Energy Projects
Progress continues on retrofitting and smart heating across Scottish social housing (e.g., connected response controls, heat pump deployments, solar PV integrations). These are active programmes influencing tech work in the sector going into 2026. Scottish Government
Broader Context Affecting Housing Tech
Social housing delivery slowdown
New social housing construction in Scotland recently hit near 30-year lows, which may affect where tech investment goes — prioritising existing stock upgrades and digital services rather than new build technologies. Scottish Business News
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Summary
Key tech highlights in housing right now include:
✔️ Large-scale ultrafast broadband rollout for council homes
✔️ Recognition of tech innovation via Housing Innovation Awards
✔️ Continued expansion of smart sensors and proactive maintenance tech
✔️ Major strides in digital telecare transition
✔️ Ongoing net-zero heating and energy tech projects