Scotland’s Housing Tech Moment: Innovation, Impact & National Recognition
January 2026
The Housing Innovation Awards 2026 shortlist has shone a spotlight on the technologies reshaping housing across the UK — from AI-driven automation and smart repairs to data-led retrofit and resident-focused digital services.
While the Awards shortlist itself is UK-wide, the innovation themes mirror exactly what is already happening in Scottish housing. Across Scotland, housing providers and tech partners are embedding digital solutions that improve safety, independence, energy efficiency and service delivery — often at scale, and often ahead of the curve.
Here’s how Scotland’s housing tech landscape aligns with — and strengthens — the innovation celebrated at national level.
What the Housing Innovation Awards Are Celebrating
The 2026 Awards highlight several recurring themes:
Automation and AI improving efficiency and tenant engagement
Smart repairs and predictive maintenance
Retrofit and sustainability technology supported by data
Digital transformation and partnership-led innovation
These priorities closely reflect Scotland’s own housing challenges — ageing populations, fuel poverty, rural service delivery and the analogue-to-digital telecare transition.
Scotland in Action: Technology with Real-World Impact
Digital Independent Living – Blackwood Homes and Care
Blackwood has become one of Scotland’s most recognised pioneers of technology-enabled independent living, using its CleverCogs digital platform to support residents with wellbeing checks, health access, reminders and emergency response — all delivered through an intuitive digital interface.
As Jason MacGilp, CEO of Blackwood, explains:
“From the ongoing design right through to support, our 24/7 digital responder service is a huge team effort. This award is a testament to that and our shared desire to improve the lives of people throughout the country.”
The impact is felt daily by residents and staff alike. Diane Allan, Head of Care at Blackwood, adds:
“Most importantly for us is that we see the impact the team has on our customer base on a daily basis… helping individuals across Scotland to live their lives to the full.’
This kind of resident-first digital care model directly reflects the Awards’ focus on automation, wellbeing and human-centred technology — showing how tech can enhance independence without replacing compassion.
Digital Telecare Transformation – Hanover Scotland
Scotland’s transition from analogue to digital telecare is one of the most significant tech shifts facing the sector. Hanover Scotland has been at the forefront, partnering with Appello to roll out the CareNet EVO digital platform across thousands of homes.
Donna Henderson, Director of Strategic Finance at Hanover, highlights the human value behind the technology:
“It’s not just about technology — it’s about people. CareNet EVO gives us the tools to focus more on what really matters: providing timely, personal care to every resident.’
Meanwhile, Angela Currie, Chief Executive of Hanover Scotland, describes the programme as transformational:
> Hanover Connect… represents a major leap forward in how we approach resident care. It’s a perfect blend of innovation and compassion.”
This work closely mirrors the national awards’ recognition of digital transformation and innovative partnerships, demonstrating how large-scale housing providers can modernise safely and responsibly.
Smart Homes & Energy Insight – Barrhead Housing Association
Energy efficiency and fuel poverty are central to Scotland’s housing agenda. Barrhead Housing Association is tackling both through its expanding smart homes and sensor programme, using real-time environmental data to improve comfort, reduce costs and inform asset strategy.
Scott Stewart, Director of Assets and Communities at Barrhead, explains:
“The sensor installation project is a transformative initiative that demonstrates the potential of smart technology to tackle fuel poverty, enhance tenant wellbeing, and inform strategic energy decisions.”
Crucially, tenants themselves are seeing the benefit:
“I’ve saved money and I’m less stressed. It’s been life-changing.
“The sensor lets me stay on top of things — I know when to open a window or check my heating.”
These lived experiences reinforce why data-driven retrofit and smart monitoring are such a strong focus in innovation awards — and why Scotland’s approach is gaining attention.
Connected & Intelligent Housing – Archangel and 5G Innovation
Glasgow-based Archangel represents the next frontier of Scottish housing tech — combining AI, sensor networks and 5G connectivity to support predictive insights and independent living, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach communities.
Working alongside housing providers and innovation bodies, Archangel’s work reflects the AI and automation themes highlighted by the Housing Innovation Awards — proving that Scotland is not just adopting technology, but helping to shape it.
Collaboration as a Catalyst: The TECH Programme
The Technology Enabled Care in Housing (TECH) programme, supports Scottish housing providers to assess digital maturity, adopt best-practice solutions and collaborate across the sector.
TECH’s growing community — including Blackwood, Hanover, Barrhead, Bield and others — reflects a shared understanding that successful housing tech adoption depends as much on culture and collaboration as on tools**.
What This Means for Scottish Housing
The alignment between UK-wide innovation awards and Scottish housing practice sends a clear message:
Technology is now core to housing quality
Data and automation are improving safety, efficiency and wellbeing
Residents benefit most when tech is designed around people
Scotland is well-placed to feature more prominently in future national shortlists
As more Scottish projects move from pilot to scale, their visibility — and influence — will only grow.
Looking Ahead
The Housing Innovation Awards 2026 ceremony in February will celebrate the best of UK housing innovation. But the real story is already unfolding across Scotland — in digitally connected homes, smarter energy systems, and technology-enabled care that helps people live well for longer.
As one tenant simply put it:
“I’m less stressed. It’s been life-changing.”
And that, ultimately, is what housing technology is all about.