Experts by experience stories – The reality of living in an unsafe home

Stories from older people living in unsuitable housing

In these interviews ,we hear from older people who needed adaptations to their homes to make them more accessible due to a disability or change in circumstances.

Sheila’s story

Sheila discusses the changes she made to her house enabling her to live independently as a disabled person.

Julie and Peter’s story

Julie and Peter converted the garage of their newly built home into a two-bedroomed accessible property for Julie’s elderly parents. They later tried to rent it to others but struggled to find tenants, despite the market need for such accommodation.

Pauline's story

Pauline would like to live as independently as possible but her inaccessible house means she is reliant on carers to help her with daily activities

Joan's story

Joan’s home has poor ventilation and a lack of broadband. She is trying to move to a new property but the process is proving very difficult to manage on her own.

Jane's story

Jane's recovery has been slowed by the fact that her home has not been adapted for a disabled person.

Gina's story

Gina talks about the positive difference a new walk-in shower has made to her life.

Beryl's story

Beryl paid for a commercial firm to build her a walk-in shower, although she was eligible for a grant from the council.

Lived experience research

We have commissioned a number of research projects to understand older people’s lived experience of unsafe homes and to test out policy solutions.

Britain Thinks work

Good Home Inquiry - Ipsos Mori Lived Experience Report

The view from local service providers

The following case studies and examples of good practice in England show how home improvement services can benefit older people in need.

Health and homes

This report aims to raise awareness of the links between health and homes, and provides examples of local systems that have developed cross-sector collaboration. These include NHS initiatives to improve residents’ health by tackling problems in their own homes.

Financing home improvements

This report summarises research on how five local authorities used various finance models to support individuals ,to improve the condition of their homes.

Finding funds, fixing homes webinar recording

This is a recording of a webinar where we talk about a lack of financial support which results in many people continuing to live in unsafe homes that damage their health. Despite the reduction in local authority funding for home improvements, some areas are successfully expanding the financial support they offer.