SFHA disappointed at funding freeze for housing adaptations

The SFHA has said it is "deeply disapointed" that the first level agreement of the Scottish Government’s 2019/20 Scottish Budget effectively included a funding freeze for adaptations.

Sally Thomas, SFHA Chief Executive, said: “While SFHA welcomes the allocation of £825 million of investment in affordable housing, we are deeply disappointed that investment in adaptations has effectively been frozen for the last seven years. The number of people needing their homes adapted to enable them to live healthier, more independent lives has increased substantially.

“A recent SFHA member survey revealed that many housing associations run out of the vital funding required to put in adaptations for people who need them, half way through the year. That needs to change, and this is a classic example of effective preventative spend that needs to be significantly increased.

“Falls cost the NHS £500,000 per day. A handrail and additional lighting which could help prevent a fall costs around £500. Pressure on our NHS will only start to fall when we invest in prevention."

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For further information, please contact SFHA Media Adviser Kirsten Walker on t: 0141 567 6221 m: 0788 788 8348 email: kwalker@sfha.co.uk

Visit our website at www.sfha.co.uk

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NOTES:

1. The Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) was established in 1975 and has around 133 members providing affordable housing and wider community services across Scotland, as well as a further 150 sector associates. The SFHA is owned and governed by its members and exists to lead, represent and support the work of housing associations and co-operatives throughout Scotland.
2. The SFHA is the voice of housing associations and co-operatives in Scotland. SFHA’s 133 members represent 85% of the sector, own and manage 86% of the 247,000+ housing association stock across Scotland. Together, housing associations and co-operatives provide housing for almost 500,000 people, which is one in every 11 households.
3. Over 15,000 staff are employed by SFHA members across Scotland, 93% of the staff within the sector.
4. Housing associations and co-operatives are not-for-profit bodies, regulated by the Scottish Housing Regulator.