Hosted by Horizon Housing and Scottish Housing News, with generous support from Campion Homes and Hanover Scotland, the one-day summit explored how accessible housing and practical design can reduce pressure and make financial savings across social care and health services. The event at the fantastic V&A Dundee sought to foster the venue’s innovation to forge lasting partnerships and produce practical recommendations for change.

Scottish Housing News editor Kieran Findlay opened the event with a call to delegates, who included experts in design, academia, property and people with lived experience, to take at least one deed from the day that they could put into action to help make housing more accessible for everyone.

Dundee City Council chief executive Greg Colgan’s welcome to the City of Discovery was followed by a video message from housing minister Paul McLennan who shared the progress being made on housing delivery in the current economic climate.

Attendees then heard Lorna Cameron outline the pressing need for change being experienced every day by Scotland’s ageing population and increasing number of people with complex needs who are struggling in the face of a chronic shortage of accessible housing.

The Horizon Housing CEO shared some sobering facts including the £1.2 billion spent over the last decade due to delayed hospital discharges as well as the 31,000 wheelchair users waiting for an accessible home, enough to fill the city’s Tannadice and Dens Park football stadiums with a further 5,000 people outside.

Lorna told the audience: “The reality we face is a chronic lack of accessible homes, a reducing number of care home places and a social care system unable to cope. Does anyone think we are ready for significant ageing population increases? How can a caring Scotland support us as we age? What changes are needed in our housing, health and social care system?

“How do we get better at planning and designing for a different future? We know that well-designed accessible homes are good for everyone. They result in greater independence, reduced social isolation and loneliness and increased social interaction.

“As we head into the day let’s think hard about how we can fundamentally change the way we work and the way services are funded; and how to incorporate early intervention and prevention into all that we do.

“This is a time to be bold. Let’s rethink finances, our focus, planning and services.”

However, on the theme of ‘Turning a crisis into an opportunity’, Lorna urged everyone to seize the opportunity to forge new relationships and create solutions, and early feedback suggests that point was taken on board.

The opening session was brought to a close by Horizon board member and disability campaigner Chris Baird who shared a video which showcased the personal experiences of people living in accessible homes.

The Accessible Housing Changes Lives video served as a timely reminder to the audience of what is at stake. As Chris added after the video: “For people with disabilities, there has always been a housing emergency.”

Ably managed by Scottish Housing News Podcast co-host Jimmy Black, the next stage of the Summit consisted of three panel sessions that saw experts share valuable insights across various themes before a final session brought outputs from each panel discussion together to turn these into practical recommendations that can foster real change.

Jeremy Porteus, chief executive at Housing LIN, chaired the first session on health & social care’s critical links to accessible housing with panellists Donna Bell, director of social care and national care service at the Scottish Government, Jaquie Pepper, chief officer at the Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership, and Age Scotland CEO Katherine Crawford.

The presentations and following discussion touched on the current issues experienced by occupational therapists, the importance of effective knowledge exchange and the unique challenges for rural areas.

During the lunch break, guests were treated to designs from Anderson Bell + Christie senior architect Alasdair Blair, who sketched his interpretations of the discussions in real time.

After lunch, Pam Duncan-Glancy MSP chaired an informative session which made the financial case for creating accessible housing.

Christina McGill, director of social impact & external affairs at Habinteg, shared the results of a research project called ‘Living not existing: The economic and social value of wheelchair user homes’.

As well as the human benefits of improved independence, greater social inclusion and community participation, the  London School of Economics study found that wheelchair-accessible homes bring benefits to public expenditure in the form of reduced delay in hospital discharges, reduced need for permanent residential care and reduced reliance on welfare.

Albyn Housing Society’s head of innovation Lucy Fraser then highlighted some pioneering initiatives developed in the Highlands that aim to use data and health analytics to enable people to live safely and independently in their homes for longer, before Susan Campbell outlined the opportunities being provided by the Scottish National Investment Bank.

The third panel session brought together Rowena Statt, research and development director at Anderson Bell Christie Architects, with Dougie Herd, the joint managing director of Campion Homes, Laura Wood, founder and director of Invisible Creations, Dr Cate Pemble, a social scientist working at the Designing Homes for Healthy Cognitive Ageing project at the University of Stirling, and Olga Clayton, interim head of housing & construction at Dundee City Council.

Showcasing excellent examples of accessible construction and adaptation designs, the session highlighted how inclusive practices that are moving the needle in delivering positive outcomes for those with accessibility requirements.

SHN editor Kieran Findlay said: “The pressing need for accessible homes made this a perfect subject for a first event for Scottish Housing News to put together. Early feedback shows the impressive range of speakers was well received by delegates with many people leaving with a real sense of urgency and inspiration.

“My thanks go to all speakers and delegates who made the Housing & Social Care Accessibility Summit 2024 such a success. The tireless efforts of event partners Horizon Housing and the support of sponsors Campion Homes and Hanover Scotland have been truly appreciated by us all.”

Dougie Herd, joint managing director at Campion Homes, said: “The Housing & Social Care Accessibility Summit was an inspiring and energising event that highlighted the critical need for accessible and affordable homes in Scotland. The collective insights and shared experiences from experts across various sectors underscored the importance of our mission. The stories and data presented were not just informative but a powerful call to action, reminding us of the profound impact that accessible housing can have on individuals’ lives.

“At Campion Homes, we are deeply committed to this cause, and the summit reinforced our belief in the necessity of collaborative efforts to drive meaningful change. The partnerships and connections forged during the event have filled us with optimism and determination. We are more motivated than ever to continue our work in creating living environments that cater to the diverse needs of our communities.

“The enthusiasm and dedication displayed by all attendees were truly inspiring. Together, we can transform challenges into opportunities, ensuring that everyone has access to homes that support their independence and dignity. The future of accessible housing in Scotland is bright, and we are proud to be part of this vital journey towards a more inclusive and sustainable future.”

Angela Currie, chief executive of Hanover Scotland, said: “The event was timely in that it followed swingeing cuts to housing adaptation budgets that will compound the crisis facing those in need of accessible housing.

“It will also place greater pressures and cost on NHS and social care too, as those that need homes adapted following hospital or respite will be stuck unable to move back home. Our big hope, given the presence of government and opposition politicians at the event, is that these cuts can be reversed as an immediate priority.

“The whole event was a stark reminder that the housing, health and social care sector can come together and have a shared goal of improving the supply of accessible housing in Scotland and along with the report from Scottish Housing Day, we need to turn the words into action. That includes pressure on government to restore the cuts to the Affordable Housing Supply Programme, introduction of the new Accessible Housing Standard and a shift in practice to focus on prevention to support people to live independently at home and avoid unnecessary hospital admissions, reduce the need for social care.

“Hanover is optimistic about the future if we can harness the energy from the Summit and carve out a better future for all those who need accessible housing.”