Homes for life? The challenges of providing homes for those with changing needs

As Scotland marks Scottish Housing Day 2024, we at Hillcrest Homes are proud to reflect on our ongoing commitment to providing high-quality social housing to fit the needs of our tenants throughout their lives.

This year’s theme, “Homes for Life,” resonates with our mission of ensuring that as people face challenges like reduced mobility or disability, they have homes that are comfortable, safe and suited to them. However, while we celebrate the progress made, it’s also important to highlight that while many lives are being changed for the better through suitable housing and adaptations, significant challenges exist.

Angela Linton, Hillcrest’s Chief Executive, said: “Our efforts in delivering affordable, high-quality housing has been hugely supported by the Scottish Government, and they’ve been instrumental in helping us deliver on our promise of homes that are not only affordable but also adaptable to the changing needs of our tenants.

“Their support has been crucial in ensuring that we can continue to provide safe, comfortable living environments, no matter what shape the household may take.”

However, it’s important to acknowledge that some hurdles still currently exist. Survey data shows that an average of 27.7% of adults across the areas Hillcrest operate in identify as having a disability or limiting condition, and 23.5% of adults said that they felt their current home did not fully meet their needs in terms of their disabilities or conditions.

Angela added: “Hillcrest has always been determined to deliver not just houses, but places tenants can truly call home.

“The difference that a suitable home can make is huge. In just one example, a tenant that recently moved into a wheelchair adapted home, who described their previous top-floor flat as being like a prison, told us that this new home had changed her life entirely. She can even now sit outside in the morning with her coffee – something she said she hadn’t previously been able to do for many years.”

“However, recent cuts to funding have meant that we haven’t been able to have as many homes adapted as we would hope, and there are still people desperately in need of a home that will allow them more independence and freedom.”

Fiona Morrison, Hillcrest’s Deputy Chief Executive, said: “Unsuitable homes can have a direct impact on the wellbeing of tenants. Homes that are not suitable contributes to issues such as increased trips and falls, as well as poor mental health – all of which in turn place additional pressure on the NHS.”

Despite these challenges, Hillcrest Homes has been working tirelessly to maintain affordable rent levels, which is crucial in combating the cost of living for our tenants.

“However, with increased funding, organisations like ours would be in a position to change even more lives, even more quickly. Even a small increase in funding can be life-changing.”

We find ourselves at a critical juncture with the upcoming Housing Bill. Fiona notes: “This is a moment for reflection on past policies and their impact on the housing sector.

“When it comes to housing policies, there is a need to keep flexibility in mind.

Fiona continues: “The current housing policies sometimes make transfers difficult, creating grey area barriers for those who would most benefit by moving into more suitable accommodation.”

According to Angela and Fiona, one of the key challenges Hillcrest is facing is the unpredictability of funding for housing adaptations, which Government and local authorities allocate relatively late each financial year.

“This uncertainty makes it difficult to plan thoroughly, but further advance notice would help in allowing organisations to plan the home adaptations programme.” Angela notes.

She continues: “Having adapted homes would reduce the incidence of accidents, alleviate mental health pressures, and ultimately ease strain on the NHS. In some cases, patients cannot be discharged from the hospital simply because there is no suitable housing available for them.”

“One tenant told us that she was able to be discharged from hospital after a few weeks because one of our accessible homes had been made available to her to move into. However, she told us there were others in her ward who had been there for months simply because their homes were not deemed suitable to return to.”

Concluding, Angela said: “Hillcrest Homes remains committed to delivering housing for those with a wide range of needs, and we hugely value our partners such as the Scottish Government and local authorities in doing so.