Equipping Our Homes for the Future

For too long, home adaptations and accessibility have been treated as an afterthought in housing policy, especially within social housing. Yet, nearly 50% of social housing households include at least one person with a long-term health condition.

Despite this, home adaptations remain a slow, reactive, and disjointed process, often addressed only when a crisis occurs. The consequences of this neglect are severe and far-reaching.

The Cost of Inaction

Recent findings from the Housing Ombudsman Severe Maladministration report (January 2025) underscore the urgent need for change:

A child undergoing chemotherapy was forced to wait over two years for a bathroom adaptation that could have significantly reduced infection risks.

A disabled resident was confined to a single room in their home for eight years due to the failure to install basic accessibility features.

Another tenant was left without access to bathing facilities for 14 months, despite explicit recommendations from an Occupational Therapist (OT).

These are not isolated incidents; they represent a widespread, systemic failure in the housing sector. The consequences extend beyond personal hardship, reflecting a broader neglect that compromises the dignity and well-being of countless individuals.

Why We Must Act Now

With an ageing population and rising demand for accessible housing, the time for change is now. The Housing Ombudsman has made it clear: landlords are falling short in their duty to provide timely, effective adaptations.

Delays and dismissals of adaptation requests are common, leaving residents trapped in homes that do not meet their basic needs.

Beyond the ethical imperative, the financial case for proactive adaptation is compelling.

Crisis-driven adaptations and emergency rehousing are far more costly than planned, preventative measures. Although funding like the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) is available, many landlords continue to view adaptations as a burden instead of a chance to enhance living standards.

A Proactive, Forward-Thinking Solution

The Fit for Our Future campaign, spearheaded by Foundations, Invisible Creations and PROCare, seeks to shift this outdated mindset. We advocate for a proactive, integrated approach that involves landlords, policymakers, OTs, and designers working together to create adaptable and inclusive accessible homes from the start.

Key strategies include:

Integrating adaptations into regular maintenance when upgrading kitchens, bathrooms, and entrances, accessibility features should be a standard consideration.
Enhancing collaboration with OTs - professional recommendations must be promptly implemented to prevent unnecessary delays.
Reimagining adaptations as aspirational. Moving beyond clinical, institutional aesthetics to create beautiful, functional designs that residents are proud to showcase in their homes. By embracing creative inclusive design, we can ensure that homes are not just places to live, but spaces that support dignity, independence, and quality of life for everyone.

The Role of Creative, Innovative, and Inclusive Design

Innovative and inclusive design is central to making accessible housing a mainstream priority rather than a reactive fix. By embedding inclusive design principles into new build programs, retrofits, and void property refurbishments, housing providers can ensure homes are adaptable from the outset. This not only meets the current needs of residents but also future-proofs housing stock to accommodate changing demographics and health conditions.

For new builds, this means designing homes with flexibility in mind—features like wider doorways, level access, and adaptable bathrooms can be seamlessly integrated without compromising aesthetics. Retrofits offer opportunities to incorporate stylish, functional adaptations that blend with modern home designs, eliminating the stigma often associated with accessible features. Even void properties—homes that become vacant—can be upgraded proactively, ensuring they are move-in ready for residents with varying accessibility needs.

By prioritising creative, inclusive design, housing providers can shift from a reactive model to a proactive, strategic approach that benefits both tenants and the broader community. This not only enhances the quality of life for individuals but also reduces long-term costs and fosters a more inclusive society for all.

The need for accessible homes is undeniable, and the time to act is now. We must advocate for housing policies that prioritise accessibility, ensuring that every home is designed to support dignity, independence, and long-term well-being. By embracing home adaptations as an essential part of modern housing, we can create a future where everyone—regardless of mobility or health condition—can live safely, comfortably, and with the freedom they deserve.

Join Us in Creating a More Inclusive Future

Fit for Our Future brings together innovative design, proactive planning, and collaborative delivery to create safer, more inclusive homes. At its core, the initiative is built on three key elements: discreet, functional adaptations; a proactive delivery model; and a commitment to tenant involvement.

Fit for Our Future promotes a proactive model, embedding adaptations into homes during construction or as part of planned retrofits, reducing delays and eliminating reactive, last-minute measures. Housing providers are supported through training programs that equip their teams with the knowledge to integrate inclusive design principles into their processes. This represents a cultural shift, prioritizing prevention over reaction and embedding safety into the fabric of housing strategies.

To support the housing sector in delivering better adaptations and accessible solutions, Fit for Our Future offers a series of workshops designed to provide practical guidance. Participants will receive expert advice on:

Funding opportunities, including the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG).
Understanding residents' needs to create safer homes.
Preparing for the Consumer Standards and regulatory requirements.
Implementing inclusive design principles to create high-quality, functional, and aesthetically pleasing adaptations.

Sign up today and be part of the movement towards a more inclusive housing sector. Visit www.fitforourfuture.today (opens new window) to learn more and register for our upcoming workshops.

This blog was published in advance of this year's Housing LIN Conference in Leeds on Age-Friendly Homes and Connected Communities, where Laura will be speaking and PROCare / Invisible Creations exhibiting.

For more information on home adaptation, visit our dedicated webpage, supported by PROCare / Invisible Creations.

Equipping Our Homes for the Future