4 days ago
- Health
- The Herald Scotland
Scottish housing study exposes 'unequal' adaptations scheme
As Scotland's population continues to age, it is expected that the number of homes containing adaptations will rise from 342,448 in 2022 to 396,267 by 2040.
The total cost of these adaptations could reach £76m in the same time frame.
The report states: 'Insights from key stakeholders across Scotland show an adaptations system that is often slow, inconsistent, and hard to navigate. There is a great deal of positive and impactful delivery happening across Scotland, often in extremely challenging environments.
'However, stakeholders consistently highlight systemic barriers, ranging from funding pressures to fragmented governance, that are making the delivery of adaptations increasingly difficult to sustain.'
The report calls on the Scottish Government to increase funding for local authorities carrying out the adaptations.
According to the report, delayed adaptations contribute directly to 'increased falls, avoidable hospital admissions, and delayed discharge from acute care.'
These incidents exert further pressure on an already stretched health service.
Reflecting on the report, Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) Chief Executive Sally 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.
'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.'
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Ashley Campbell, policy and practice manager at the Chartered Institute of Housing (CHI) Scotland, 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.'
