Housing adaptation system ‘unfit’ for elderly population, ministers told

The process of adapting homes to make them suitable for the elderly and disabled needs to be simplified, housing associations have said, branding it “unfit for our aging population”.

The Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) called on ministers to act to improve the “complex and underfunded” process for home adaptations.

SFHA chief executive Sally Thomas spoke out as the new research, from academics at the University of Stirling’s Intersectional Stigma of Place-Based Ageing project (ISPA), was published.

The system not only needs more funding, but also to be simplified so everyone can access the adaptations they need irrespective of where they live and whether they rent or own their home

It warned that the cost of adapting houses could reach £76 million a year by 2040, with Professor Vikki McCall of the University of Stirling saying it “is clear that changes are needed, and urgently”.

According to the report there are thousands of people across Scotland currently living in homes unsuitable for their needs, in what the SFHA branded an “accessible housing crisis”.

Ms Thomas said that this “crucial research shines a light on the complex and unfair process people go through every day just to access vital adaptations which help them live well and for longer in their home”.

The report, which looked at demand in Scotland for home adaptations such as installing stairlifts, grabrails and wet rooms, but claimed the system for accessing these is complex, underfunded and often inconsistent.

It warned that older and disabled people who are unable to access the adaptations they need to their properties are more prone to falls and injuries in their homes.

It also noted that Scotland is lacking a single accountable body to oversee the adaptations process, with access to adaptations differing depending on where people live, as well as whether they own their own home, rent privately or from a social landlord.

Ms Thomas said: “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.”

The SFHA chief executive added: “Housing associations are at the forefront of helping people live well and for longer in their homes and already support tenants by installing everything from grabrails and stairlifts, to larger-scale adaptations such as wet rooms.

“However, the system not only needs more funding, but also to be simplified so everyone can access the adaptations they need irrespective of where they live and whether they rent or own their home.”

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

Professor McCall, who led the ISPA 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 £76 million 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.”

Ashley Campbell, policy and practice manager at the Chartered Institute of Housing Scotland said: “This new research adds to a significant and growing body of work on what’s needed to improve the adaptations system in Scotland.”

She added: “The message is clear – we know that investing in adaptations saves money for health and social care partners and improves people’s lives.

“But this isn’t just about the funding, the system can be complex, time consuming and inconsistent. We need the Scottish Government to fulfil its commitment to review the adaptations system and remove barriers to accessing support.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson 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 £20.9 million this year. This reflects the importance we place on delivering necessary adaptations to enable disabled people to live independently at home.”