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Practice Note for Scotland’s Social Housing Sector: Empowering Social Landlords to support people affected by dying, death and bereavement

Practice note for Scotland Social Housing COVER

This practice note from the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations (SFHA) is designed to offer a blueprint for Registered Social Landlords on how best to support tenants affected by dying, death and bereavement to live as well as possible at home.

Developed by leading housing and health organisations, including Marie Curie Scotland, the SFHA, Association of Local Authority Chief Housing Officers, Chartered Institute of Housing Scotland and MND Scotland, it offers empowering guidance for social landlords to ensure people living with terminal illness and their families can remain at home where appropriate, and maintain dignity during the most challenging times of life.

Every year, 27,600 people in Scotland move home due to bereavement, with 13,200 unable to afford their current home and 11,400 losing tenancy rights. By 2040, over 60,000 people will die with palliative care needs, with nearly two-thirds of deaths occurring at home. Furthermore, terminally ill people spend 90% of their time in community settings, making housing stability critical. The practice note provides:

  • Human-rights-based approach to housing for terminally ill tenants and bereaved families.
  • Guidance on identifying and prioritising terminally ill tenants for housing allocations and adaptations where possible, to help navigate the complex operating environment.
  • Advice on tenancy succession, joint tenancy options, and welfare support to reduce financial hardship and empower choice.
  • Practical tips for sensitive conversations about dying and bereavement.
  • Signposting to free emotional and practical support services, including Marie Curie’s Support Line and Bereavement Support Line.

And if you found this of interest, check out the other tools, guides and resources that the Housing LIN curates on its dedicated Bereavement and End of Life Care webpages.