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Disabled people face ‘significant barriers’ to finding suitable homes

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Understanding Disabled Peoples Housing PathwaysSignificant barriers remain for disabled people when trying to find a suitable home that meets their needs and that they could afford, a new report from the Scottish Government has found.

A short research project, called Understanding Disabled People’s Housing Pathways: Initial Insights, revealed four factors that can contribute to a negative housing experience for disabled people.

These are:

  • Logistical issues: application processes for social housing inaccessible for some; disconnected support services.

  • Technical issues: adaptations not keeping up with continually changing needs; hospital discharges before suitable housing arranged.

  • Attitudinal issues: being considered adequately housed; lack of understanding of issues people face.

  • Financial issues: unable to afford adaptations/care/suitable home; welfare reform.

    • The research explored a small selection of one group of disabled people’s housing needs using the ‘Housing Pathways’ approach and the ‘Independent Living’ approach.

    It found three key elements that can impact on disabled people’s housing pathways:

    • Financial/economic status: whether or not people can afford to buy a home or adaptations.

    • Property/Supply: availability of appropriate housing

    • Household composition: whether or not people live with a partner, children, or parents.

      • Finally, the report found that the experience of disabled people can be improved by ensuring they have control and choice, respect, independence and being part of a community.

      Five factors that can lead to a positive housing experience and outcome for disabled people were identified as:

      • Location: sense of community belonging; near family/friends; feeling safe; good local care services; access to services including public transport.

      • Space: Accessibility; space for equipment and adaptations; garden for families with children.

      • Participation: including choice in housing decisions; respect, dignity and being listened to and understood.

      • Information: information on medical conditions; information on future implications for housing; information on housing options available; information provided early in the process.

      • Social and emotional understanding: respecting social and emotional living needs; local community groups and respite services.

        • Report authors Chloe MacLean and Julie Guy said: “The Scottish Government vision for housing is that all people in Scotland live in high-quality, sustainable homes that they can afford and that meet their needs. In 2014 there were 836,000 households in Scotland with at least one member living with a long-term condition or disability (Scottish Household Survey, 2015). As our population ages, this number is likely to increase. Understanding the housing needs of disabled people is therefore key to our vision.”

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