Housing partnership in Scotland

Following a successful collaborative project with Scotland's justice sector in 2009, Capability Scotland has announced that 2010 will the organisation working in partnership once again.

Through the Housing Voluntary Grant SchemeCapability Scotland has been selected as one of the Scottish Government's Key Strategic Partners for housing and will be teaming up with the Glasgow Centre for Independent Living (GCIL) on an ambitious involvement project aimed at radically improving disabled people's access to suitable housing.

Housing is key to independent living, without a house it can be impossible for disabled people to access employment, education or even social and recreational opportunities. However, many disabled people face significant barriers when it comes to finding somewhere to call home.

The Scottish Household Survey continues to show that disabled people are limited in their ability to buy property and that they are frustrated in their ability to rent privately. The supply of suitable social housing is tiny despite a high demand for accessible housing in this sector.

Furthermore, the Scottish House Condition Survey shows that disabled people's ability to get even the most basic adaptations made to their homes is limited. Even a statutory requirement to ensure that housing policy meets the needs of disabled people (the Disability Equality Duty) has failed to make significant change happen.

Capability's Director of External Affairs, Richard Hamer, commented: “We are delighted through this grant schemeto be selected as one of the Government's Key Strategic Partners for housing. This puts Capability together with GLIC is in a position where we can use our combined specialist knowledge and expertise to tackle these major problems. Most importantly, we will be working with disabled people to ensure that their voices are heard by the relevant agencies in relation to housing issues. By promoting and facilitating a better understanding of disabled people's housing needs within the Scottish Government, local authorities and housing associations we believe disabled people will gain better access to suitable housing.”