Hillcrest’s housing challenges for people with changing needs

As Scotland celebrated Scottish Housing Day 2024, the Hillcrest Homes leadership team emphasized their dedication to providing top-notch social housing that meets the evolving needs of tenants at every stage of their lives.

Chief executive Angela Linton and deputy chief executive Fiona Morrison embraced this year’s theme of ‘Homes for Life’, underlining their core mission of ensuring that individuals facing challenges like reduced mobility or disability have access to comfortable, safe, and tailored homes.

While acknowledging the progress achieved, Angela and Fiona also shed light on the existing hurdles despite the positive impact of suitable housing and adaptations. Angela credited the support from the Scottish Government in delivering affordable, adaptable homes that cater to the changing needs of tenants. She stressed the significance of providing safe and comfortable living spaces for all households, no matter their composition.

However, survey data revealed that a considerable percentage of adults in areas served by Hillcrest reported disabilities or limiting conditions, with many feeling that their current homes fell short of meeting their specific needs. Angela highlighted the importance of creating not just houses, but genuine homes where tenants feel a sense of belonging and comfort.

She shared a compelling story of a tenant who experienced a life-changing transformation after moving into a wheelchair-adapted home, contrasting her previous living situation to a “prison”. This anecdote illustrated the immense impact of suitable housing on improving quality of life and independence.

Nevertheless, funding cuts have hindered the ability to adapt homes at the desired pace, leaving many individuals in dire need of homes that promote autonomy and freedom. Fiona pointed out that unsuitable housing directly impacts tenant well-being, leading to increased accidents, falls, and mental health issues that strain healthcare services.

In the face of these challenges, Hillcrest Homes has remained steadfast in maintaining affordable rent levels to alleviate living costs for tenants. Fiona emphasized the critical importance of increased funding to accelerate life-changing initiatives, especially amidst uncertainties surrounding housing policies and funding allocations.

Looking ahead to the Housing Bill, she stressed the need for flexibility in policies to facilitate smoother transfers to more suitable accommodations for those in need. Angela and Fiona highlighted the unpredictability of funding for housing adaptations, urging for earlier notice to enable efficient planning and implementation of home adaptation programmes.

Adapted homes not only prevent accidents but also relieve mental health burdens and reduce pressure on healthcare systems by enabling timely discharges from hospitals. Angela shared a touching account of a tenant who was discharged from the hospital and able to move into an accessible home provided by Hillcrest, underscoring the pivotal role of suitable housing in post-hospital care.

Ultimately, Hillcrest Homes is unwavering in its commitment to delivering housing solutions for individuals with diverse needs, expressing gratitude for the collaborative efforts with partners like the Scottish Government and local authorities in fulfilling this shared mission.