Reduced Government funding for social housing and ever-present cost of living pressures were just two of the ongoing challenges faced by tenants and the Association.

Despite this, RSHA was pressing on with its “ambitious” programme of constructing affordable homes in several communities.

Delivering his final chair’s report after five years in the role, Mark Griffiths told the well-attended AGM held at the Callander Youth Project: “Each year seems to bring new challenges and that has certainly been the case again this year.

“The Association has been experiencing significantly higher cost increases in specific areas such as construction, maintenance and repair costs. The Board of Management and the Association’s staff have and will continue to work very hard to control costs whilst maintaining services.

“But our finances remain sound. It is important for our tenants that they remain so and the board and staff will remain vigilant.”

Highlighting the housebuilding programme, the Association completed four cottage flats during the year at Graham Lambie Brae, Strathblane  – named after the late and popular local councillor.

Work is well underway at Croftamie where 14 homes are being built and due for completion in December while 11 are progressing at Killearn for completion in June next year.

In addition, the Association is working with the Scottish Government, Stirling Council and contractors to finalise arrangements for a development of 22 homes at Balmaha and in conjunction with developer Springfield on 30 homes at Gartness Road, Drymen. 

Progress is also being made on a development of 18 homes at Tyndrum.

Meanwhile, Mark said over £700,000 had been spent during the year on existing tenants’ homes on upgrades such as new kitchens, bathrooms and energy efficient heating systems.

Another stand-out achievement accomplished during the year was the launch in the spring of “My Rural” – the Association’s online self-service portal. This innovative gateway - accessible online - is available round the clock and provides customers with the opportunity to pay rent, check their rent account, report a repair and generally manage the tenancy.

Mark Griffiths encouraged more tenants to sign up and register for the free service.

He added that ongoing partnership working between RSHA and others – notably Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, Stirling Council and Community Councils - remained “strong”.

The AGM also heard from guest speaker Stephen Clark, head of housing at Stirling Council, who spoke on “Scotland’s Housing Emergency”.

He told the meeting that Stirling Council – like RSHA – remained deeply committed to the delivery of affordable housing.

Twelve Scottish local authorities have declared a “housing emergency”, although Stirling is not one of them. The Scottish Parliament has also declared a housing emergency. 

Stephen highlighted that there’s no standard definition of what constitutes a housing emergency. Each council has its own reasons for declaring a housing emergency in its area. While the reasons are complex and varied, common themes include pressures on homelessness services, high levels of people in temporary accommodation and a lack of affordable homes compared to high waiting lists.

Stephen told the meeting that solutions might include “making the case for increased funding for affordable housing development and homelessness”, “innovation and collaboration with the private sector” and changes to legislation.