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Research & good practice

On these pages we capture research findings and good practice examples on housing with care matters in Scotland, including extra care housing and technology enabled care in housing.

For useful Scottish case studies, visit Case studies

Scottish Housing Day 2024: Homes for Life

To mark Scottish Housing Day 2024, the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH) Scotland and partners launched this report on the theme of ‘homes for life’, focusing on the importance of housing in supporting people to live well throughout their lives as their needs and priorities change.

Planning for your housing future

Designed as a conversation starter, this practical guide by Housing Options Scotland outlines the key considerations for everyone to plan their own housing future to make sure their home meets their needs in later life.

Tackling digital exclusion

Digital exclusion can have a severe impact on people’s lives, particularly with a trend since Covid-19 of increased use of digital technology to deliver services. This report from Audit Scotland looks at how well the public sector in Scotland are tackling digital exclusion and what more they can do.

Housing for older people in Scotland: A call for discussion

This summary briefing from the UK Collaborative Centre for Housing Evidence presents key topics for discussion that highlight housing for older people as a key priority area for policy and practice for the Scottish housing sector.

Homing In: How to improve the lives of older renters in Scotland

This briefing by Independent Age sets out why making sure that rents are affordable, that people are protected from unlawful eviction and homelessness, that a decent standard of accommodation is provided and that tenants’ rights are upheld is vital to improving the lives of older renters.

Existing Housing Need in Scotland

This first-of-its-kind report, commissioned by Homes for Scotland, illustrates how existing housing need in Scotland is both more complex and far higher than previously measured.

Making Adaptations Work for Older People in Scotland

Age Scotland launched a report to coincide with Dementia Awareness Week 2023 which reflects the need for clear advice and information, a more streamlined process across tenures, access to funding and a focus on prevention not reacting to crisis.

The economic and social benefits of housing support

This paper, published by UK Collaborative Centre for Housing Evidence, looks at the increasingly important, yet under researched, area of Housing Support that has evolved from a traditional focus on landlord-tenant activity to being a key mechanism that supports wider economic and social benefits (including health and community outcomes for individuals).

Living well at home: Housing and dementia in Scotland

The National Housing and Dementia Forum launch their final report Living well at home: Housing and dementia in Scotland making recommendations on changes needed to improve housing outcomes for people living with dementia.

Evidence review of home adaptations in the UK and other OECD countries

This review is one part of The Adaptations Policy and Practice Programme, co-ordinated by the UK Collaborative Centre for Housing Evidence (CaCHE) and involving collaborations with the University of Stirling, Age Scotland, Horizon Housing Association, and the Housing Associations’ Charitable Trust (HACT), focusing on understanding the academic evidence and policy landscape behind home adaptations.

Digital health and care strategy

Refreshed strategy which sets out how we will work together to improve the care and wellbeing of people in Scotland by making best use of digital technologies in the design and delivery of services, in a way, place and time that works best for them.

Breaking barriers to better housing adaptations – action, policy and practice in Scotland

This blog looks a study undertaken into adaptations by Horizon Housing Association, CaCHE, HACT and Stirling University.

Healthy Housing for Scotland: A briefing paper setting out the fundamental link between housing and public health

This briefing paper by Public Health Scotland draws on current evidence on how housing can influence health and wellbeing. It is intended to support ‘Housing to 2040’ which sets out the Scottish Government’s vision for the housing system over the next 20 years.

Housing Needs of Older People in Scotland – Panel Research

Following the recent publication of the Scottish Government’s strategy and plan, Housing to 2040. Age Scotland’s latest research on the housing needs of older people in Scotland has highlighted a need to increase the availability of accessible and adaptable homes so that people can live well and independently for as long as possible.

Home Delivery – Community Led Housing in rural Scotland

This report by Community Land Scotland, highlights the work carried out by the organisation contributing to the development of affordable housing in rural communities in Scotland.

Transforming services for people using digital technology: Mapping activities and exploring experiences

This report by Iriss, co-commissioned by the Scottish Government and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) details the background information, approach and findings of a discovery project launched in Spring 2019.

Housing Scotland: Models of housing with care and support

This report by the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations aims to highlight the key aims for social recovery from the pandemic.

Demonstrating the Social Impact of Housing Associations

SFHA has created a toolkit to help housing associations to understand, measure, and demonstrate their social impact.

Inclusive Living Toolkit: Inclusive Living Evidence Review

This tool provides a strategic, future planning tool for the housing sector to support our homes and environment to be as accessible as possible. Published by the SHFA’s Innovation and Future Thinking programme, the tool allows Scottish housing associations, co-operatives and others involved in housing & urban development to think holistically about inclusive approaches to housing development, maintenance and repair, and the wider urban environment.

Housing Rights in Practice: Lessons learned from Leith

This report by the Scottish Human Rights Commission (the Commission) provides an account of a 4 year project of working with a group of people who were living in poor housing conditions in Leith, north Edinburgh. People were experiencing problems with damp, mould, ineffective or broken heating, pigeon, rodent and insect infestations, and maintenance issues.

Age Scotland: National Housing Survey Report

This new report by Age Scotland and Scot Inform, funded by the Scottish Government, reveals that fewer than half of people over the age of 55 polled in a recent survey think their home will be suitable in later life. The report demonstrates that there is an urgent need to take the views of people in later life into account and “future-proof” housing stock

Count us in

This report, published by Trust, Hanover (Scotland) and Bield Housing Associations details the findings from a series of interviews and focus groups with older ethnic minority people living in Scotland.

Park Homes in Scotland: Planning for Retirement Living

Newcastle University was commissioned by the Morris Leslie Group to explore the potential for park homes as an option for retirement living in Scotland, with a particular focus on the planning system.

Connecting Communities - Housing at the heart of integrated health and social care in Scotland

This report sets out the conclusions of a programme of action research undertaken with Hanover residents, working closely with Hanover staff, directors and Board members.

Housing and Dementia Practice Framework: A practice framework for support Scotland’s housing sector

The Practice Framework is a tool to support the housing sector help people living with dementia remain at home for as long as possible and get the support they need in Scotland.

Housing Solutions Change Programme: Training modules evaluation report from the ihub Place, Home and Housing portfolio

This report by Healthcare Improvement Scotland focuses on the work carried out between March 2018 and March 2019 to jointly train practitioner trainers from health and social care partnerships and housing partners, to equip them with the skills and knowledge, to then deliver this training programme within their own locations, and evidence the benefits this has delivered.

Place-Age Place-Making with Older Adults: Towards Age-Friendly Cities and Communities

This publication presents age friendly policy and practice guidelines following a 3 year research project involving the cities of Edinburgh, Glasgow and Manchester.

Town Centre Living: A Caring Place - Intergenerational housing case studies

This report from the Housing LIN for Architecture & Design Scotland, provides a digest of 12 case studies of intergenerational housing drawn from the UK and internationally.

Match Me – What works for adapted social housing lettings?

Match Me was an 18-month action research project into the allocation of adapted and accessibly designed social housing and what enhanced independent living for disabled people.

Blackwood Employers Requirements/Design Guidance

The original notion of the “Concept Blackwood House” was developed to provide a flexible, modern home to suit varying levels of needs and support for residents without the requirement for major alterations or relocation.

Housing as a social determinant of health: evidence from the Housing through Social Enterprise study

This report outlines the findings of the Housing through Social Enterprise project.

Living Digitally – An evaluation of the CleverCogs digital care and support system

This report looks at how Technology Enabled Care can have a positive effect on health and well-being.

Foundations for well-being: reconnecting public health and housing.

This report aims to guide the public health and housing sectors in Scotland in their role in improving health and reducing inequalities through the provision of good housing.

TEC in Housing Charter

Housing organisations across Scotland are being asked to show their support for a new Technology Enabled Care in Housing Charter.

Making room: identifying, planning and delivering accessible homes for disabled people in Scotland

Disabled people in Scotland have a right to accessible and adequate housing, yet many struggle to find homes which meet their needs and aspirations.

Being Home - Housing and Dementia in Scotland

This report looks at the important links between housing and dementia

Transforming specialist dementia hospital care: independent report

This Scottish Government report makes recommendations on the modernisation of specialist NHS dementia care in Scotland.

Ending Homelessness: The report on the final recommendations of the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Group

The fourth report from the Scottish Government's HRSAG providing recommendations and identifying ways to put an end to homelessness and rough sleeping.

Your choice of home in later life: a guide to housing options for older people in Scotland

This guide from Age Scotland provides an array of key information targeted at those thinking about their housing needs in later life.

Technology Enabled Care: Data Review and Evaluation Options Study

This Scottish Government report presents the findings from their Technology Enabled Care (TEC) data review and evaluation option study.

Early Stage Dementia: A carers guide to creating a dementia friendly home

Age Scotland have produced this guide to give advice to carers on changes in the home for people living with dementia, allowing them to remain independent, safe and comfortable in their own home.

Housing and Disabled People: Scotland's hidden crisis

As part of three inquiry reports provided by the EHRC, this report focusing on housing and disabled people in Scotland highlights the challenges of unsuitable housing for disabled people, as well as making recommendations to tackle this crisis.

Scotland's Digital Health & Care Strategy

The Scottish Government's 2018 Digital Health & Care Strategy sets out how technology can support person-centred care, and sustain and improve services for the future.

Still minding the step? A new estimation of the housing needs of wheelchair users in Scotland

Horizon Housing Association have produced this report to explore the significance of accessible housing in facilitating national and local policies and strategic plans.

Review of Independent Information and Support Services Funded by the Scottish Government

This report, commissioned by the Scottish Government, presents findings from an evaluation of projects funded to deliver activities under the Scottish 'Support in the Right Direction' (SIRD) Fund.

Dementia Pathways Housing’s Role

CIH Scotland second phase of its housing and dementia programme focused on improving the links between housing organisations and partners in health, social care and the third sector

Adapting for Change: evaluation

Evaluation report on Adapting for Change, an initiative testing and developing recommendations on housing adaptations commissioned by the Scottish Government.

We Say: Our place, Our Space - The evidence on disabled people’s housing issues from Scotland’s Disabled People’s Summit

This report by Inclusion Scotland calls for the Scottish Government to seize the opportunity presented by their plan to build 50,000 new homes

Meeting our commitment to care: Are we delivering social care well enough to older people in Scotland?

This research report by Age Scotland shows that thousands of older people are missing out on free personal care payments because of delays in assessing and arranging care.

Dementia Pathways housing’s Role Key research findings

This phase of CIH Scotland housing and dementia programme focused on improving the links between housing organisations and partners in health, social care and the third sector, with a specific emphasis on the role of the housing professional in meeting the needs of those living with dementia.

Retirement Living: Untapped potential in the Scottish retirement living sector

This Savills Residential Research briefing note reflects on Scotland's ageing demographic and the implications and challenges this will bring to the housing market. It considers the geography of these...

Compendium of Practice: Practice Examples of Housing Contribution to Health and Wellbeing Outcomes

This “Compendium of Practice” by the Joint Improvement Team in Scotland focuses on current activities within the housing sector that contribute to the health and well-being of citizens as well as the emerging health and social care integration agenda.

Housing Advice Note (Scotland)

This note provides statutory guidance to Scottish Integration Authorities, Health Boards and Local Authorities on their responsibilities to involve housing services in the Integration of Health and Social...

Health and Social Care Integration - A Guide for Housing Practitioners

This briefing is one of a series being prepared by the JIT in Scotland, in collaboration with the Housing Coordinating Group, to explain the implications of health and social care integration as it affect...

Making the connection: Guide to assessing the housing related needs of older and disabled households

This guide from the Joint Improvement Team in Scotland has been developed as a companion to and not a replacement for the Scottish Government (2014) Housing Need and Demand Assessment (HNDA): A Practitioner's...

Age and Social Isolation

This report by the Equal Opportunities Committee at the Scottish Parliament is the result of an inquiry focusing on the potential impacts of social isolation on both older and younger people in Scotland....

Understanding the Housing Aspirations of People in Scotland

This report from the Scottish Government follows research undertaken to better understand the housing aspirations of people in Scotland. With regard to ageing, it found that people envisaged their housing...

Housing Statistics for Scotland 2015

This paper from the Scottish Government contains a useful section on the supply of purpose-built accommodation for older people and people with disabilities in Scotland. It reports that the number of...

A blueprint for Scotland's future: The importance of housing for general wellbeing in Scotland

The Commission on Housing and Wellbeing was established by Shelter Scotland in the autumn of 2013. Shelter Scotland asked the Commission to make an independent, evidence-based assessment of the importance...

Housing Generation Rent: What are the Challenges for Housing Policy in Scotland?

This report by the Centre for Housing Research University of St Andrews explores young people’s housing experiences within the broader social, economic and political context in Scotland.

Understanding the housing needs of older owner occupiers in Scotland

This research report from the University of Stirling reveals that a significant number of older owner occupiers are applying for and being allocated council housing. The reasons for wanting to move...

Extending the Housing Options for Older People: Focusing on Extra Care

This report by IRISS (2014) seeks to explore the evidence base in respect of housing with care and support in Scotland, in particular extra care provision, and the extent to which the range of models...

Striking the right balance: A social return on investment study of very sheltered housing

This report by Bield, Hanover & Trust Housing Associations, and Envoy Partnership (2013) explores the Social Return on Investment (SROI) of Housing Adaptations and Very Sheltered Housing (or extra...

Review of Sheltered Housing in Scotland

This paper by Karen Croucher at the University of York for the Scottish Executive and Communities Scotland (2008) provides useful background information on the provision of sheltered housing in Scotla...

The Costs and Benefits of Preventative Support Services for Older People

This paper commissioned by the Scottish Government (2011) reviews the evidence on the cost effectiveness of preventative support services that assist older people with care and support needs to remain...