Sam Lewis has walked over a hundred times to her local gym for a shower, even though the 34-year-old’s rheumatoid arthritis means walking is painful and slow. She will not climb into the bath in her flat as she fears she will fall. Many renters like Sam are entitled to accessibility alterations that reduce the risk of accidents and prolong independence, but assessments have been promised and funding less available during the pandemic. Funding housing adaptations can have a positive long-term impact on social and healthcare services.
The UK system of funding for adaptations is facing increasing strains, say adaptation experts. The system must accommodate growing demand as the elderly population expands and as cases involving children with special needs rise. The pandemic has added further challenges, and parents with no other alternatives may soon move into care homes if pending building works do not move ahead. Data obtained by the BBC shows the average completion time has risen by 18% over the past five years. Fundamental alterations take longer in Northern Ireland and Wales, and an ongoing wait can be long.
Sam says a ‘person-centred’ assessment was undertaken for her assistance application for the first time four years ago, but it is still in process, suggesting that disabled and elderly renters seem to have excessive and ineffective obstacles to overcome. Governments have supported proposals to limit these problems, but the reality has not changed. Social services can offer additional financial assistance, and valuable solutions must still be put in place to enable homeownership and home modification.
Local government officials have endorsed adaptations as life-changing and one of the most effective ways of reducing demand on social and healthcare services. More recently, some adaptation experts have also observed the increasing importance of accessibility alterations that reduce the use of public transport. The reopening of the UK’s economy may affect compromised renters again. While the UK government is expanding the adaptation system, the Local Government Association, which speaks for local councils, says the extra funding “does not tackle the underlying issues,” such as the lack of occupational therapists to carry out assessments and wider funding pressures
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