You are viewing 1 of your 1 free articles
Scottish landlords warn ‘short-sighted’ grant cuts will increase number of patients trapped in hospitals
Scottish landlords have warned that the government’s “short-sighted” cuts to adaptation grants could leave tenants trapped in hospital for longer.
Housing providers have been waiting for months to find out their funding allocations from the Registered Social Landlord (RSL) Adaptations programme 2024-2025, which pays for vital alterations to older or disabled tenants’ homes.
A letter sent from the housing directorate to applicants last week revealed the funding pot for adaptations, such as stair rails, hoists and wheelchair ramps, had shrunk to £8.2m. This is a 25% reduction from last year’s budget of £11m.
According to the letter, seen by Inside Housing, 86 landlords requested £28.1m from the programme, but with not enough funds available, only two will have their full funding requests met.
READ MORE
Confirming the cuts, housing minister Paul McLennan said: “Following the UK chancellor’s July statement, the Scottish government faces the most challenging financial situation since devolution and ministers have had to make tough decisions.”
While the overall budget has been reduced by 25%, some individual housing associations have seen even larger year-on-year reductions in their funding awards.
Aberdeen-based Grampian Housing Association, which manages 4,000 homes, has seen its grant funding slashed by around 43%, according to chief executive Craig Stirrat.
He said Grampian has already front-funded just under £120,000 for adaptations so far this year and it expects this bill to rise to around £240,000 by the end of the year.
Yet, the association has only been awarded £136,000 from the government grant, meaning Mr Stirrat is now expecting some “tough decisions”.
While Grampian will likely be able to absorb cheaper alterations, such as the installation of a banister or a grab rail, more expensive works such as stairlifts or hoists might need to be deferred, he said.
Mr Stirrat added: “It’s a short-sighted move and there was no pre-warning from the government. The key question is whether the grant will be reinstated next year.”
He said that while some of the adaptation work is preventative to help tenants whose mobility might be worsening due to illness or age, some need to happen after a tenant is hospitalised following a trip or a fall.
Mr Stirrat stated that the cuts are likely to increase the number of patients having to stay in hospital, which in some areas of the country, such as the Borders, has reached record highs.
Another affected landlord is West Highland Housing, which owns and manages around 800 homes across the Oban and North Lorn area. It received a 20% cut to its funding, a reduction that chief executive Brett Sadler said was “hard to fathom”.
“In our organisation, this is already leading to some very difficult conversations about how we prioritise adaptations going forwards, when in reality every tenant who needs an adaptation should be able to receive one. It just seems so short-sighted,” he added.
According to the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA), some of its members have received a fraction of their funding requests, with one requesting £600,000 and receiving £133,800. Another received £44,000, which was down from £80,000 the previous year.
Carolyn Lochhead, director of external affairs at SFHA, said: “It’s absolutely crucial that our members are able to adapt homes so people can live well and stay safe.
“Not only have Scotland’s housing associations been waiting months for confirmation of the aids and adaptations funding they’ll receive from Scottish government, but that funding has been cut substantially and is woefully inadequate.
“As not-for-profit organisations, they simply cannot fund this alone. With some members receiving a fraction of what they requested, they will not be able to do what’s needed for existing tenants, let alone tackling waiting lists. That means some people will remain in hospital, waiting for an adaptation to their home so they can be discharged safely, and the NHS will continue incurring unnecessary costs.
“It’s not right that anyone should be trapped in this situation, so government must think again as a matter of urgency.”
Mr McLennan’s statement added: “Demand for the Registered Social Landlord Adaptations programme was very high, in part due to changing demographics and the increased need for adaptations. This is why we allocated £8.245m to support RSLs in meeting their responsibilities under the Equality Act in regards to housing adaptations for disabled tenants.
“Scottish government continue to engage with RSLs who are working tirelessly to support their disabled tenants to live in accessible homes that enable them to live full and equal lives. This has included some RSLs who have already funded the adaptions that people need to safely access their homes.”
Social landlords have been able to secure grant funding for major adaptations to their homes since 2001. Eligible works include widening doors and fitting ramps for wheelchair access, replacing a bath with a shower, and fitting lower work surfaces to make a kitchen easier to use.
The decision to restrict funding for adaptations follows the Scottish government’s recent cuts to its Affordable Housing Supply Programme. The grant programme for new social housing is down 26% for 2024-25 – £196m less than what was handed out the year before.
