The Chief Executive of one of Scotland’s largest housing providers for older people has warned that cuts to the housing adaptation budget will result in bed-blocking and increased burden on NHS and social care.
Angela Currie, Chief Executive of Hanover Scotland, has called for urgent action, stating that housing associations like Hanover are being forced to make impossible choices between critical home adaptations and essential refurbishments such as kitchens and bathrooms.
Her warning comes after the Scottish Government confirmed that the fund was being slashed by 25%, from £11 million to £8.245 million.
Despite being five months into the current financial year there has been no confirmation given to housing associations about their final allocations.
Angela Currie, said: “These cuts are a disaster waiting to happen. The comparatively modest investment required to make homes safer and more accessible is dwarfed by the cost of hospital stays and long-term care for those unable to get back into their homes.
“Without adequate funding for adaptations, we risk trapping elderly and disabled individuals in hospital beds or unsafe homes, further straining our already overstretched health and social care systems.”
Given the lack of clarity on the current year’s funding, Hanover Scotland, which provides over 4,500 homes across Scotland for older people, has been required to find funding from other areas of the organisation.
Angela Currie added: “We have already had to start spending money based on previous year’s allocations just to ensure that tenants are not left without the adaptations they need.
“But this has placed immense pressure on our ability to manage other vital services. The longer we wait for clarity, the worse this situation will become.”
For more than 40 years, Hanover Scotland has been at the forefront of providing safe, secure, and affordable housing that allows older people to live independently. Through a diverse range of housing and tenure types, Hanover ensures its tenants can retain their independence while staying connected to vibrant local communities.
Founded in 1979, Hanover Scotland has been a pioneer in sheltered accommodation and was one of the first to offer specialised homes for older adults. Following its 2019 merger with Arklet Housing Association, the non-profit organisation continues to empower independence for thousands of tenants across Scotland.
Despite the critical role that housing associations like Hanover play in reducing the burden on health and social care systems, the uncertainty around adaptations funding is making it nearly impossible to plan for the future. With no sign of when or if the budget will be reinstated, housing providers are left grappling with difficult choices that will inevitably impact the quality of life for their tenants.
Angela Currie said: “Adaptations are essential for our tenants to maintain their independence, avoid hospital stays, and live with dignity. Without the necessary funding, housing associations will struggle to continue offering this vital service, and the fallout will be felt by the entire public health system.”
Adaptations can range from simple modifications like installing grab rails to more complex redesigns such as converting bathrooms for wheelchair access. These small investments prevent larger issues such as falls, hospitalisations, and the resulting ‘bed-blocking’ that keeps individuals in hospital longer than necessary due to the lack of suitable housing.
Hanover Scotland is calling on the Scottish Government to urgently reinstate full adaptation funding, highlighting that the failure to do so will lead to more expensive and avoidable crises in the long term.
