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Report says Scotland’s system for housing adaptations is too complex, underfunded and lacks oversight

News14.08.255.00 PM by Kate Callaghan

Researchers and housing associations have urged the Scottish government to increase the budget for housing adaptations and create a tailored approach for accessing them.

Holyrood in Scotland, where the government has been asked to increase the budget for housing adaptations (picture: Ben Marler/Unsplash)

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Report says Scotland’s system for housing adaptations is too complex, underfunded and lacks oversight #UKhousing

Researchers and landlords have urged the Scottish government to increase the budget for housing adaptations and create a tailored approach for accessing them #UKhousing

According to a new report, this is needed as thousands of Scottish people are living in homes that are unsuitable for their needs and the system for accessing adaptations is underfunded and overly complex.

The process for accessing these adaptations, which include stairlifts, grab-rails and wet rooms, can vary by region and if the resident is a homeowner or rents either socially or privately.

These is currently no single accountable body to oversee the process.

The report also highlighted that Scotland’s healthy life expectancy is declining and the population of people aged over 60 is set to exceed 1.7 million by 2035. As older and disabled people unable to access adaptations are more prone to falls and injuries in their homes, this puts more strain on the NHS.

Sally Thomas, chief executive of the SFHA, said: “This crucial research shines a light on the complex and unfair process people go through everyday just to access vital adaptations which help them live well and for longer in their home.

“The current adaptations system is unfit for our ageing population and places too much emphasis on whether someone rents or owns their home, where they live and what funding they can access, instead of people’s needs.”

This latest report comes after the SFHA last month called for all new homes in Scotland to meet a common design standard for accessibility. It warned that many homes are not suitable for the needs of the country’s ageing population.

Similar calls have been made in England, where research has shown there are 250,000 fewer homes due to inaction on accessibility standards.

Vikki McCall, a professor of social policy at the University of Stirling, who led on the research, said: “While our population is living longer, that doesn’t mean we are living well.

“With costs rising for housing adaptations – estimates are that Scotland is likely to spend more than £76m a year on adaptations by 2040 – it is clear that changes are needed and urgently.

“All our research points to the need for future-proofing of Scotland’s housing stock, early intervention and age-friendly, inclusive designs.”

A spokesperson for the Scottish government said: “We are ensuring that older and disabled people in Scotland have choice, dignity and freedom to access suitable homes to enable them to participate as full and equal citizens.

“Adaptations play a vital role, which is why we have more than doubled funding to £20.9m this year. This reflects the importance we place on delivering necessary adaptations to enable disabled people to live independently at home.”