Question reference: S6W-26448
- Asked by: Miles Briggs, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 25 March 2024
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Current status: Answered by Paul McLennan on 17 April 2024
Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of Scotland’s ageing population and reported projections by the Office for National Statistics that one quarter of Scotland’s population will be aged 65 or over by 2040, what consideration it has given to any changes that are required to the provision of housing to meet Scotland’s needs.
Answer
We want older people to have choice, dignity and freedom to access suitable homes, built or adapted to enable them to participate as full and equal citizens. Our Housing to 2040 strategy sets out a vision for housing in Scotland. This includes all aspects of housing, including independent living for older people.
As set out within Housing to 2040, we understand that accessible and adaptable housing is important in allowing people to live independently with no barriers to participation in daily life, work and community as well as future-proofing new homes to help avoid costly adaptations in future when needs may change.
This is why our aim is that all new homes should be accessible and adaptable to suit the lifelong and varying needs of Scotland’s people.
The Scottish Government works closely with local authorities in their role as strategic housing authorities. Local Councils are best placed to make decisions which reflect the particular nature and characteristics of their local area.
On 29 June 2023 we launched a consultation on proposals for enhancing the accessibility, adaptability and usability of Scotland’s homes. The consultation closed on 21 December 2023. We are carefully considering the feedback received.