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West Lothian Council Opens New Housing Support Hub

  //house-home.news-articles.net/content/2026/02/2 .. thian-council-opens-new-housing-support-hub.html
  Published in House and Home on Wednesday, February 25th 2026 at 23:26 GMT by Daily Record
      Locales: Scotland, UNITED KINGDOM

Livingston, West Lothian - February 26th, 2026 - West Lothian Council today officially opened the doors to its new 'one-stop shop' for housing support in Livingston's The Centre, marking a significant step forward in its commitment to proactive tenant engagement and accessible housing services. The facility, born from a recognized need to simplify a sometimes-complex system, aims to become a vital resource for tenants navigating the challenges of secure and sustainable housing.

For years, accessing various housing-related services - from tenancy sustainment programs to financial advice and digital inclusion initiatives - often required tenants to contact multiple departments, navigate online portals, or attend separate appointments. This fragmented approach proved particularly challenging for vulnerable residents, those lacking digital literacy, or individuals facing time constraints. The Livingston hub directly addresses these issues by consolidating key services into a single, easily accessible location.

The centre offers a comprehensive range of support. Beyond basic tenancy issues, the hub features dedicated resources for financial advice, assisting tenants with benefit applications, debt management, and budgeting. Crucially, recognizing the growing importance of digital connectivity, the facility provides access to digital devices and reliable internet - a lifeline for job searching, accessing online services, and maintaining social connections. This digital inclusion aspect is particularly noteworthy as the council increasingly moves towards digital-first service delivery.

Councillor George Paul, the council's Housing Convener, hailed the opening as a "fantastic resource" and emphasized the importance of creating a "safe and welcoming environment" for tenants. "For too long, accessing support has felt bureaucratic and impersonal," Councillor Paul explained. "This hub is about putting tenants first, providing a friendly face and a single point of contact for all their housing needs. We want to empower our tenants to maintain secure tenancies and live comfortably in their homes."

The concept isn't entirely new, with similar 'one-stop shop' models being piloted in other Scottish councils, but West Lothian's implementation appears particularly ambitious in scope. Initial feedback from tenants involved in the planning stages was overwhelmingly positive, with many highlighting the potential for reduced stress and improved access to crucial support. The council collaborated with tenant representatives and local community groups throughout the development process, ensuring the hub truly reflects the needs of the people it serves.

Experts in social housing are already viewing the Livingston hub as a potential model for other local authorities. "The key to success with these initiatives is integration," explains Dr. Eleanor Vance, a researcher specializing in social housing policy at the University of Edinburgh. "Simply co-locating services isn't enough. It's about fostering genuine collaboration between different teams and ensuring a seamless experience for the tenant. West Lothian's emphasis on this integrated approach is promising."

Looking ahead, the council plans to monitor key performance indicators, including tenant satisfaction, the number of successful tenancy sustainment cases, and the uptake of digital inclusion services. There are also discussions about expanding the hub's services to include employment support and access to health and wellbeing programs. The long-term vision is to create a community hub that goes beyond simply addressing housing needs, but actively contributes to the overall wellbeing of West Lothian residents. The centre is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm, and is strategically located within The Centre, a high-traffic area easily accessible by public transport.

The opening was marked with a small ceremony attended by council officers, enthusiastic tenants eager to explore the new services, and representatives from local community organizations - demonstrating a collective commitment to building a stronger, more supportive housing landscape in West Lothian. This initiative serves as a powerful reminder that affordable housing is not just about bricks and mortar, but about providing the comprehensive support tenants need to thrive.