SFHA calls for national accessible housing strategy as it launches 'Homes Fit For The Future' Policy Paper

A new report warns MSPs that too many of Scotland’s homes are unfit for an ageing population and has called for politicians to create a national strategy for housing the elderly and people with disabilities.

In its Homes Fit for the Future report, which launched today, SFHA says more than 70% of the country’s housing stock was built before 1982 and many homes are unfit for the needs of Scotland’s ageing population.

The report is the latest in a series of Policy Papers is launching in the run up to next year's Scottish Parliament elections.

Within 20 years, more than a quarter of Scotland’s population will be aged 65 or over, whilst those under 16 are projected to make up just over half that amount (13.3%).

SFHA has raised serious concerns about the impact unsuitable housing already has on disabled and older people and has warned the situation will worsen with an ageing population, and will also have severe consequences for the NHS and social care.

Despite this, the Scottish Government’s accessible housing working group hasn’t met since 2021.

Making homes accessible can involve a range of changes, from installing grab rails to stairlifts and door entry systems to wet rooms. However, it can also mean a greater emphasis on how homes are designed initially, such as ensuring entrances and corridors are wide enough to support wheelchair users.  

As well as calling for a national accessible housing strategy, SFHA has said new-build homes across all forms of housing should be built to a common design standard, ensuring they are accessible for elderly and disabled people.

It has also called on MSPs to make sure grant levels for social housing allow investment in smart technologies. This includes digital applications which can allow people to live independently, prevent injuries, and reduce hospital admissions.

Some examples of these technologies include fall-detection sensors and voice-enabled companions which allow residents to live independently at home, but also alert health and social care providers, friends and family if an individual requires support.

The warning to policymakers comes just a week after the latest Scottish Government statistics showed housebuilding in Scotland had dropped to its lowest level since 2012 amid the national housing emergency.

SFHA Policy Manager Susie Fitton, who authored the report, said: “The devastating impact of Scotland’s housing emergency is well-documented. We desperately need more homes being built, but we need to be strategic about the design of these homes to ensure they will serve the needs of people as they age.. Most of our current housing stock was designed for a previous century and we must update our approach. 

“Across Scotland there are around 78,000 people we currently know need an adaptation to live independently in their home. The real number is likely to be higher and it will only climb as our population gets older.”

“We want to see a national accessible housing strategy. Policymakers must ensure that the funding and systems in place for delivering adaptations are significantly improved to meet the need. And the best way to make our homes fit for the future will be through making them accessible in the first place, which is why we need a common design standard across all types of homes.

“Meeting the needs of our ageing population will require radical and innovative solutions which includes embracing technological change. Given technology can allow people to live independently and prevent injuries and hospital admissions, then policymakers must ensure social housing grant levels are enough to invest in such preventative technology from the outset when building new homes.”

Please find the full report on the left-hand side of the page.

You can find further coverage of our Policy Paper on a variety of news outlets, including this piece on STV News.