Critical home adaptation waiting lists soar amid housing association budget cuts

Scotland’s housing associations are dealing with what they call the disastrous consequences of Scottish Government budget cuts.

Grants to adapt social homes for the elderly, ill and disabled have been reduced by as much as 49% for some social home providers.

There are now increasing numbers of people on waiting lists for things like stairlifts, wheelchair ramps and walk-in showers.

Graham Brodie, from Fife, is waiting for a wet room with a walk-in shower to be installed in his home.

His house has needed many adaptations since he became ill with long Covid. His condition means he needs a stairlift, an electric scooter and support to move around.

The biggest challenge is the bathroom’s washing facilities. With the help of his wife and an electric lift support chair in the bath, he’s able to wash. However, it could be next April at the earliest before he gets a walk-in shower.

Graham says a walk-in shower would make his day-to-day life easier STV News

Graham told STV News: “The fact that I could just walk in and get a shower would be a huge difference from having to use the lift in the bath.

“It’s exhausting, it’s expensive. Showers would be three times cheaper compared to what I’m doing at the moment.”

Fife Housing Association’s budget to help people like Graham has been reduced by almost half.

From across the country, it’s a consistent picture.

Grampian’s adaptations budget has decreased by 41%. Paisley Housing Association’s is now 34% less, and Melville’s, in the east, has been slashed by 45%.

Carolyn Lochhead from the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations said: “The level of need that we’ve seen is three times as much as the funding that’s available.

“So, there were applications that went in for around £28m worth of funding, and the budget that’s available is £8m and that all represents people who need changes to their homes so they can live there safely, and the money is just not there to do it.”

A Scottish Government spokesperson said, “Following the UK Chancellor’s July statement, the Scottish Government faces the most challenging financial situation since devolution and Ministers have had to make tough decisions.

Graham says using a lift in the bath is 'exhausting and expensive' — Graham says using a lift in the bath is ‘exhausting and expensive’ STV News

“Demand for the Registered Social Landlord (RSL) Adaptations programme was very high, due in part to demographics and the increased need for adaptations to support people to live safely and independently at home. This is why we allocated £8.245m to support RSLs in meeting their responsibilities to deliver housing adaptations for disabled tenants.

“Scottish Government continues to engage with RSLs who we know are working tirelessly to support their disabled tenants to live in accessible homes that enable them to live full and equal lives. This has included some RSLs who have already funded the adaptations that people need to safely access their homes.”

“RSLs, as landlords, are required to comply with the Equality Act 2010 and other relevant legislation and consider how they may support requests for adaptations over and above those that can be funded from the RSL Adaptations programme. This could potentially include discussions with the Health and Social Care Partnerships which have overall responsibility for adaptation services.”