‘Radical change’ necessary to meet housing needs of ageing nation, report warns

“Radical change” is needed as too many of Scotland’s homes fail to meet the needs of an ageing population, a report has warned.

The Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) has called on MSPs to create a national strategy for housing the elderly and people with disabilities.

In its Homes Fit For The Future report, it points out that 70% of the country’s housing stock was built before 1982, with many unfit for the needs of Scotland’s ageing population.

It said 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%).

The SFHA has raised concerns about the impact unsuitable housing already has on disabled and older people and has warned the situation will get worse as the country ages.

It said this will have severe consequences for the NHS and social care.

Despite looming pressures, it said the Scottish Government’s accessible housing working group has not met since 2021.

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

The report has called on MSPs to ensure grants for social housing allow investment in technology such as digital applications, which can allow people to live independently, prevent injuries, and reduce hospital admissions.

Other types of technology include fall-detection sensors and voice-enabled companions.

SFHA policy manager Susie Fitton, who wrote 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.”

Ms Fitton said a common design standard would ensure homes are made accessible from the day they are built, which she said is the best way to ensure they are fit for the future.

She added: “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.”

In response to the report, a Scottish Government spokesperson said: “We are ensuring that older and disabled people in Scotland have choice, dignity and freedom to access suitable homes to enable them to participate as full and equal citizens.

“Adaptations play a vital role, which is why we have more than doubled the registered social landlords adaptations programme budget to £20.9 million for 2025-26.

“This significant increase from the £8.245 million budget for 2024-25 reflects the importance of delivering necessary adaptations to enable disabled people to live independently at home.”