Enhancing the accessibility, adaptability and usability of Scotland’s homes: consultation

Between 29 June and 21 December 2023, the Scottish Government consulted on proposals to update Part 1 of the Housing for Varying Needs design guide and to introduce a new all-tenure Scottish Accessible Homes Standard. The proposals sought views on how best to improve the accessibility, adaptability and usability of homes across Scotland and support people to live independently in homes that can respond to changing needs trhoughout life.

We asked for views on proposals to:

• update Part 1 of the Housing for Varying Needs design guide,
• improve the accessibility, adaptability and usability of homes delivered through the Affordable Housing Supply Programme,
• develop a new all-tenure Scottish Accessible Homes Standard,
• identify accessibility and adaptability criteria that could be applied through building standards to new homes across all tenures, and
• understand the potential impacts of the proposals on people, communities, businesses and housing delivery.

The consultation received 114 responses, including 19 from individuals and 95 responses from organisations. Feedback was also gathered through 10 consultation events attended by 255 participants. Respondents included local authorities, registered social landlords, housebuilders and developers, architects, accessibility organisations, and membership and professional bodies.

Overall, respondents were supportive of the ambition to improve the accessibility, adaptability and usability of homes in Scotland. Many welcomed measures that would help people live independently for longer, reduce the need for future adaptations and create homes that can better respond to changing needs throughout life.

While there was broad support for the overall direction of the proposals, respondents also highlighted a number of important considerations that should inform future policy development and implementation.

Key themes raised by respondents included:

• Broad support for improving accessibility and adaptability, particularly where proposals would help future-proof homes and support independent living.
• Concerns about potential impacts on construction costs, housing affordability and housing supply, especially from housing providers, developers and local authorities.
• A desire for flexibility and proportionality, with some respondents suggesting that certain measures should not apply in all circumstances or housing types.
• Support for the introduction of a Scottish Accessible Homes Standard, alongside calls to ensure the needs of wheelchair users and other groups requiring accessible housing continue to be fully addressed.
• Request for clearer and more practical guidance, including additional diagrams, exampels and supporting information to aid implementation.

We have carefully considered all consultation responses and the findings of the independent consultation analysis. The feedback received has provided valuable evidence on both the opportunities and challenges associated with improving the accessibility, adaptability and usability of Scotland's homes.

The consultation demonstrated broad support for enhancing the accessibility and adaptability of new homes, while also highlighting important considerations relating to cost, deliverability, housing affordability and supply. These findings will help shape the next phase of policy development.

In response to the consultation findings, the Scottish Government will undertake further reserach to support:

• updates to the Housing for Varying Needs design guide, and
• the development of an all-tenure Scottish Accessible Homes Standard.

To support this work, we have commissioned external consultants to undertake further research and provide technical design and cost-related evidence to inform future proposals.

We have also established a dedicated working group bringing together stakeholders from across industry, professional bodes, housing providers, accessibility organisations, health and social care professionals and academia. The working group will help shape and test proposals as they are developed.

The findings from this programme of work will inform the development of revised proposals, which will be subject to further public consultation in 2027.

We will continue to work closely with stakeholders throughout this process to ensure that future proposals are evidence-based, proportionate and capable of delivering improved accessibility and adaptability outcomes in new Scottish homes.