Following publication of the report, Understanding Disabled People’s Housing Pathways: Initial Insights, what plans it has to make more soc…

In 2016-17 we will increase the capital funding for the affordable housing supply programme by £90 million, to increase the supply of new social and affordable homes, including for disabled people. Local authorities are required under the Housing (Scotland) Act 2001 to produce a local housing strategy setting out its strategy, priorities and plans for the delivery of housing and housing related services in its area. Updated local housing strategy guidance was issued in 2014 and this will inform the forthcoming round of local housing strategies from local authorities due in the next two years. The guidance has been strengthened to provide a strong focus on the role of the authority in the planning and delivery of specialist housing.
Social housing is allocated in line with a landlord’s allocation policy. People who are disabled and who are in housing need would generally receive priority for housing on the basis of living under unsuitable housing conditions.
As part of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2014 the Scottish Government will make it easier for social landlords to recover possession of certain properties designed or adapted for special needs. The provision, which is expected to come into force in autumn 2016, should help ensure that landlords make best use of adapted properties by allocating them to people who can make use of the adaptations.