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NEWS AND POLICY UPDATE:

Spring 2010

Information for the providers and commissioners of housing related services for older and disabled people

HOUSING
  • BEYOND DECENT HOMES: SELECT COMMITTEE’S SURPRISE FOCUS ON PRIVATE HOUSING
    The Communities and Local Government (CLG) Select Committee Inquiry’s Report about the future of the Decent Homes programme after 2010 has concluded that the £40 billion investment in social rented housing has resulted in major improvements for tenants, but notes that “while the social sector programme has received a huge injection of political will and financial resources, the private sector programme has been quietly downgraded and inadequately funded”. It recommends setting a “clear long-term target to bring all homes in the private sector up to the decent homes standard. www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200910/
    cmselect/cmcomloc/60/6002.htm

  • HOUSING IMPROVEMENT
    The first Bulletin of the English Housing Survey (the combined Survey of Housing and English House Conditions Survey) reveals non-decent housing has reduced slightly, but not for vulnerable groups. 24% of private homes had at least one category 1 hazard, 13% in social rented and 31% in private rented. www.communities.gov.uk/documents/statistics/pdf/1481221.pdf

    Non Decent Homes1996%2005%2006*%2007*%2008*%
    /No /No/No/No/No
    Total non decent homes 45%27.5%35%34.6%33%
    9.1m5.98m7.7m7.68m7.4m
    Non decent homes: all private sector43%27.1%36.3%35.8%34%
    6.8m4.82m6.56m6.55m6.29m
    Non decent homes: social sector53%29.2%29%29.2%27%
    2.3m 1.16m1.14m1.14m1.07m

    Vulnerable households living in non
    decent homes    		1996%2005%2006*%2007*%2008*%
    /No /No/No/No/No
    – private sector57%33.9%41.2%39%39%
    1.4m 1.07m1.31m1.23m1.2m
    - social sector 53%
    1.6m    		(28%
    all HH)    		(27.8%
    all HH)    		(28.1%
    all HH)    		(26%
    all HH)
    *The definition of a non-decent home changed in 2006. The Housing, Health and Safety Rating Scheme replaced the Fitness Standard

  • NATIONAL AUDIT OFFICE REPORT ON NON-DECENT HOMES
    The NAO’s examination of the decent homes programme concludes that whilst good progress has been made, there are risks to in terms of completing the target to eliminate non-decent social rented homes (originally by 2010) and a new build up of a repairs backlog if a new programme is not put into place. The report also highlighted weaknesses in the collection of decent homes data by CLG. www.nao.org.uk/publications/0910/
    the_decent_homes_programme.aspx

    HEALTH AND HOUSING LINK: SPECIAL SECTION

     The anticipated large scale cuts in public spending are predicted to be slightly less biting in the health sector. The case for housing expenditure may become even more based on the health links and preventative case. Three recent reports are relevant in connection with this debate.

    THE REAL COST OF POOR HOUSING
     The Building Research Establishment has developed a model for measurement of the health costs of specific hazards and the cost impact of repair solutions. It estimates that accidents and illness resulting from the worst housing costs the health service at least £600m pa, with costs to the nation around £1.5 billion. The Real Cost of Poor Housing’ www.bre.co.uk

    LINKING HOUSING CONDITIONS AND HEALTH
     With a particular focus on delivery of decent homes in the private sector, this joint Warwick University/ BRE report is about a North West regional initiative aimed at quantifying the health impact of housing interventions.
    www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/cross_fac/healthatwarwick/aboutus/ormandy
    /linking_housing_conditions_and_health_2010-02-24.pdf

    HOUSING, HEALTH AND CARE
    This CIH/ Housing LIN report sets the context for housing, health and care integration and cites local practice examples of people working to make cross sector aspirations a reality. www.dhcarenetworks.org.uk/_library/Resources/Housing/Support_materials
    /Reports/Housing_Health_and_Care.pdf

  • HANDYPERSON SERVICES FINANCIAL BENEFITS TOOLKIT LAUNCHED BY CLG
    A Toolkit has been launched to help service planners, commissioners and providers to identify and quantify the wider benefits (financial and non-financial) and potential savings that might accrue as a result of investing in handyperson services. Divided into three parts, the kit covers i) How to use the tool, ii) Understanding the evidence that underpins the model and iii) Building a business case. With the CLG funding for handyperson services starting its second and final year, this will be an important resource to help to ensure the continuation of these important services. www.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/financialbenefitstoolkit

  • VALUE OF HANDYPERSON SERVICES STAND OUT IN POPPS EVALUATION
    The final evaluation report concerning the Department of Health's Partnerships for Older People Projects has demonstrated that a concentration on prevention can save large amounts for the health service. The benefits of handyperson services and minor home adaptations were amongst those that were particularly noted as being cost effective. www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/
    PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_111240

  • LOCAL AUTHORITY DISABLED FACILITIES GRANTS BUDGETS HEADING DOWNWARDS?
    There are strong indications that an increasing number of LAs are planning to cut local DFG budgets in 2010-11. In the face of local funding pressures, realising that they are not legally obliged to match CLG funding seems to be an important driving force behind this move (See new DFG Briefing from Care & Repair England).

  • CLG ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT FUNDING ALLOCATIONS FOR 2010-11 STILL AWAITED
    At the time of going to press (30th March) CLG had still not announced the allocations for DFG. Check this site for the latest information: www.communities.gov.uk/housing/supportandadaptations/housingadaptations
    /localauthoritydfgallocations/

  • DFG CONSORTIUM LAUNCHES PRE-ELECTION BROCHURE TO HIGHLIGHT IMPORTANCE
    The Disabled Facilities Grant Consortium (includes Care & Repair England, College of Occupational Therapists, Royal British Legion, Chartered Institute of Environmental Health + others) has published a promotional brochure about adaptations. It is aimed at people who make decisions about budgets and policy, such as MPs, local councillors and directors, and sets out key issues and recommendations. www.careandrepair-england.org.uk/pdf/dfgc_broc.pdf

  • TIME TO REVIEW ADAPTATIONS: ALL PARTY PARLIAMENTARY GROUP BACKS ADAPTATION REVIEW
    The All Party Parliamentary Group (Housing and Care) has supported a call by the DFG Consortium for a fundamental review of the DFG system. The APPG is committed to highlighting the key role of housing, including home adaptations, in the debate about the future of social care. A number of members of the APPG spoke on this when the Personal Care at Home Bill (below) was progressing through Parliament.

  • LIFETIME HOMES STANDARDS IN NEW HOMES – GOVERNMENT BACKTRACKS
    The Government will not review progress by the private sector towards building new homes to Lifetime Homes Standards in 2010, as was promised in the national strategy for housing in an ageing society, Lifetime Homes, Lifetime Neighbourhoods. In this a commitment was given to work towards all new housing to be built to this standard by 2013. The 2009 pre-budget report said that the government will now ‘consider the case’ for LTHS later this year. www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/pbr09_chapter5.pdf

  • FOUNDATION FOR LIFETIME HOMES AND NEIGHBOURHOODS LAUNCHED
    A group of major national organisations, including Habinteg, Age UK, The Town and Country Planning Association and Radar have created this new Foundation whose aim is “to improve the implementation of inclusive design principles within the built environment and to promote the Lifetime Homes standard”. The Foundation is asking organisations to sign up to a pledge to support the LTHs principles. www.lifetimehomes.org.uk/pages/
    lifetime-homes-foundation.html

  • GUIDE TO AGE FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES IN THE NORTH
    This report from the Northern Housing Consortium sets out the steps needed to create 'age friendly' homes, neighbourhoods and services which will meet the needs of future generations. www.dhcarenetworks.org.uk/IndependentLivingChoices
    /Housing/Topics/type/resource/?cid=7253

  • HOUSING AND AGEING- AN OPPORTUNITY FOR HOUSING DEVELOPERS?
    A recent report highlights factors likely to drive a growth in demand for new housing in retirement. One prediction is that due to a shortage of housing any government is likely to try to ‘incentivise’ under-occupiers to move home eg. ‘through council tax incentives and capital gains tax threats’. http://resources.knightfrank.com/GetResearchResource.ashx?id=11801

  • SOCIAL RENTED HOUSING AND OLDER PEOPLE: IN YOUR LIFETIME
    The National Housing Federation has launched a policy document setting out its vision for housing, care and support for current and future generations of older people. There are many welcome statements and recommendations in this report, particularly with regard to improving delivery of home adaptations and support for Lifetime Homes Standards Regulation (see: www.housing.org.uk/default.aspx?tabid=1058&mid=2050&ctl=Details&ArticleID=2672).

HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE NEWS

  • SOCIAL CARE REFORM GRANT: FINAL ALLOCATION PLUS CASH FOR EXTRA CARE STRATEGIES
    The Department of Health (DH) has announced the allocation of the final year of the ring-fenced Social Care Reform Grant for Adult Social Services. This amounts to £237m and must be used to transform Social Care in line with the ‘Putting People First’ policy. This includes a shift to personalisation, partnership and prevention. Allocations range from nearly £6 million (Kent, Essex, Birmingham) to £10,000 (Scilly Isles). In addition, every Adult SS Authority is to be given a one off payment of £20,000 to help them to develop an extra care housing strategy. www.dh.gov.uk/prod_consum_dh/groups/dh_digitalassets/documents/digitalasset
    /dh_114790.pdf

  • SOCIAL CARE REFORM: WHITE PAPER PUBLISHED BUT DECISION PUT OFF
    The debate about the future funding of care for older people looks set to continue for some time yet. The White Paper was published on 30/3/10. It is still proposing creation of a national care service, and refers to introducing a compulsory levy to pay for care in later life, but details about how this would work are limited and it is proposed that another Commission be set up to look at the issue during the next parliament. www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance
    /DH_114922

    During the debates about the Free Personal Care at Home Bill in the Lords a number of peers put forward amendments and made the case for recognition of the key role of housing and home adaptation in personal care and the need to consider how to integrate provision. www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200910/ldhansrd/text/100201-0007.htm

  • THE STATE OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE IN ENGLAND: FEWER OLDER PEOPLE IN CARE HOMES
    In the Care Quality Commission’s first yearly report on the state of health care and adult social care in England in 2009 reports that 77% of adult social care services were rated as good or excellent. There are signs of more people being supported to live independently at home: 2.1% of people (208,530) aged 65 + were living in care homes (supported by their council) in 2009, compared to 2.5% (241,200) in 2005. The average number of people experiencing delays in hospital discharge has fallen from 3,600 a week in 2003/04 to 2,200 a week in 2008/09. www.cqc.org.uk/stateofcare.cfm

  • ADULT CARE BUDGETS TO BE CUT IN EFFORT TO RETAIN SPEND IN CHILDREN’S SERVICES
    A survey by the Chartered Institute for Public Finance & Accountancy has found that in 2010 councils are planning to cut adult care budgets by an average of 7% compared with only 1% for children’s services. This was a widely predicted response given the high profile of child protection and the anxiety of local authorities following criticism of failures in a number of cases. www.publicfinance.co.uk/news/2010/03/councils-planning-savage-cuts-to-adult-care-spending

  • GAP BETWEEN LIFE EXPECTANCY AND HEALTH LIFE EXPECTANCY COULD BE REDUCING?
    A study into levels of disability carried out in Gloucestershire over a 10 year (1998-2008) period found reductions in the prevalence of disability for mobility, vision and self care. Levels of independence were also up, suggesting that people were 3.8 years ‘younger’ than 10 years earlier and entering dependency 2.1 years later. These new positive indicators of increased healthy life expectancy run counter to most of the larger scale, earlier studies which have indicated that life expectancy was growing faster than healthy life expectancy. Published in Age and Ageing, the Journal of the British Geriatrics Society, March 2010, (Donald I P, Foy C, Jagger C, Trends in disability prevalence over 10 years in older people living in Gloucestershire).

MONEY
  • 2010 BUDGET: LIMITED MENTION OF OLDER PEOPLE
    Main items specifically about older people: In 2010-11, there will be a 2.5% increase in tax credits, disability benefits and basic state pension. The winter fuel allowance will continue. Income tax personal allowances will stay at the 2010-11 level. There will be a freeze on the inheritance tax threshold for 4yrs to help to pay for social care. For those reaching State Pension Age from 6 April 2010, 30 years of contributions will be needed to qualify for a full basic State Pension (previously 44 yrs for men, 39yrs for women). A reminder: The equalisation of the state pension age for men and women starts to be phased in from 6th April 10. www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/budget2010_complete.pdf

  • EQUITY RELEASE FOR PRIVATE SECTOR HOUSING REPAIR: BLOW FOR LOCAL FUNDS
    Following the collapse of a funding deal between the Midland’s local authorities’ equity release initiative, KickStart, and a major national bank, it seems that the indication from the big lenders is that there is no interest in providing finance for such social lending. So far none of the equity release initiatives developed by LAs has levered in significant private finance.

  • JOSEPH ROWNTREE EQUITY RELEASE INITIATIVE
    JRF is funding an equity release product developed alongside a commercial provider in three local authorities (Islington, Kensington and Chelsea, and Maidstone). The product is a small, draw down on demand loan aimed at recipients of pension credit who need small amounts of money to help to pay for practical help at home. www.jrf.org.uk/sites/files/jrf/equity-release-plans-summary.pdf

  • NATIONAL BENEVOLENT FUND FOR THE AGED
    The NBFA offer specific free help to support independent living in older age. These are emergency telephone alarms, TENS machines and holidays. www.nbfa.org.uk

  • BIG LOTTERY REACHING COMMUNITIES FUND CHANGES
    The Big Lottery is introducing simpler applications and faster decision making for grant applications to its Reaching Communities Fund which are for less than £40,000 pa. Most of the funding conditions remain the same, with £300m allocated to the fund until 2013. The new outline proposal form is due to come on line on 28th April. www.biglotteryfund.org.uk

  • PRE-PAYMENT METER CAMPAIGN: BRITISH GAS LAST MAJOR SUPPLIER TO DROP HIGHER TARIFF
    Following a high profile campaign against unfair charging, all of the major energy suppliers have agreed to drop the higher tariffs for pre-payment meter customers, the majority of whom live on low incomes. For information about tariffs see Consumer Direct website www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/EnergySupplyandPost/energysupply
    /managingbills/prepayment/

  • END OF CHEQUE GUARANTEE ON DEBIT CARDS
    Hot on the heels of the announcement that cheques are to be phased out by 2018 comes the news that banks will start sending out new debit cards that no longer include the cheque guarantee. This guarantee facility was not meant to be withdrawn until 30/ 6/2011. A trader accepting a cheque as payment without the guarantee on the debit card carries sole risk if that cheque bounces. Providers of low cost services for older people who accept cheque payments may be affected by this change.

NEWS
  • ANCHOR PULL OUT OF HOME IMPROVEMENT AGENCIES
    Anchor, one of founding providers of home improvement agencies in the 1980s with their ‘Staying Put’ schemes, has announced that it is no longer going to operate HIAs. The reason given is that they are going ‘to concentrate on their core business’. As the largest provider of HIAs with around 400 staff their decision could have far reaching consequences for the sector. Discussions with Hanover about a possible take-over of local services are underway but this development, in addition to the ending of the Supporting People funding ring-fence and declining budgets for home adaptations and private sector repair, means that the future for HIAs is looking increasingly uncertain

  • LOCAL AUTHORITIES NOT READY FOR AN AGEING POPULATION – AUDIT COMMISSION REPORT
    ‘Under Pressure’ concludes that most councils do not know enough about the costs of their ageing population and may also miss the savings that could flow from preventive initiatives. It says that councils and partners should tackle the main causes of social care need including poor housing and environment, health and mobility problems, breakdown of informal support and social isolation. www.audit-commission.gov.uk/nationalstudies/localgov/underpressure/Pages/default.aspx

  • HOUSING ADVICE AND INFORMATION – POSITIVE EVALUATION FOR FIRSTSTOP
    A positive interim evaluation of the national housing advice and information service, FirstStop, has been published. FirstStop received backing from CLG as a result of the national housing strategy for an ageing society, Lifetime Homes, Lifetime Neighbourhoods. The evaluators, Cambridge Centre for Housing and Planning Research, conclude that FirstStop ‘appears to be delivering a much needed service in an efficient and cost-effective way…’. The need to increase volume of inquiries in the second year is noted, even though the 73,200 callers and 13,315 website downloads exceeded targets. www.cchpr.landecon.cam.ac.uk/Downloads/FS%20EVALUATION%20REPORT%20013010-FINAL-high%20res.pdf

  • ‘NEW LOCALISM’ ON THE CARDS WHATEVER THE ELECTION OUTCOME
    Total Place: A whole area approach to public services heralds further reductions in central government’s ring-fencing of funds and national performance targets. ‘Total Place’ has been piloted in Cambridgeshire, Durham, Hackney, Hampshire, Hull, Leicester/Leicestershire, Leeds city-region, Solihull, Swindon, Wigan and Worcestershire and this new report from Treasury describes plans to roll out the model across England. www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/total_place_report.pdf. The Conservative planning policy is set out in ‘Open Source Planning’, including proposals for greater local control over planning decisions, abolishing Regional Plans and ending Planning Inspectorate powers. www.conservatives.com/News/News_stories/2010/02/~/media/Files/Green%20Papers/planning-green-paper.ashx. The LibDems refer more generally to local communities having greater control over decision making www.libdems.org.uk/your_community.aspx

This News and Policy Update is produced by Care & Repair England
The Renewal Trust Business Centre, 3 Hawksworth Street, Nottingham, NG3 2EG
Tel/ Fax: 0115 950 6500
Email Care & Repair England
www.careandrepair-england.org.uk

Every effort has been made to ensure the information above is correct. However, Care & Repair England cannot accept any responsibility for errors and omissions.

Care & Repair England is an Industrial and Provident Society with Charitable Status Reg 25121

Previous Newsletters
  • The Care & Repair England News and Policy Update (Winter 2009 edition) can be viewed here

  • The Care & Repair England News and Policy Update (Summer 2009 edition) can be viewed here

  • The Care & Repair England News and Policy Update (Spring 2009 edition) can be viewed here

  • The Care & Repair England News and Policy Update (Winter 2008 edition) can be viewed here

  • The Care & Repair England News and Policy Update (Autumn 2008 edition) can be viewed here

  • The Care & Repair England News and Policy Update (Summer 2008 edition) can be viewed here

  • The Care & Repair England News and Policy Update (Spring 2008 edition) can be viewed here

  • The Care & Repair England News and Policy Update (Winter 2007 edition) can be viewed here

  • The Care & Repair England News and Policy Update (Autumn 2007 edition) can be viewed here

  • The Care & Repair England News and Policy Update (Summer 2007 edition) can be viewed here

  • The Care & Repair England News and Policy Update (Spring 2007 edition) can be viewed here

  • The Care & Repair England News and Policy Update (Winter 2006 edition) can be viewed here.

  • The Care & Repair England News and Policy Update (Autumn 2006 edition) can be viewed here.

  • The Care & Repair England News and Policy Update (Summer 2006 edition) can be viewed here.

  • The Care & Repair England News and Policy Update (Spring 2006 edition) can be viewed here.

  • The Care & Repair England News and Policy Update (Winter 2005 edition) can be viewed here.

  • The Care & Repair England News and Policy Update (Autumn 2005 edition) can be viewed here.

  • The Care & Repair England News and Policy Update (Summer 2005 edition) can be viewed here.

  • The Care & Repair England News and Policy Update (Spring 2005 edition) can be viewed here.

  • The Care & Repair England News and Policy Update (Winter 2004/05 edition) can be viewed here.

  • The Care & Repair England News and Policy Update (Autumn 2004 edition) can be viewed here.

  • The Care & Repair England News and Policy Update (Summer 2004 edition) can be viewed here.

  • The Care & Repair England News and Policy Update (Spring 2004 edition) can be viewed here.

  • The Care & Repair England News and Policy Update (Winter 2003/04 edition) can be viewed here.

  • The Care & Repair England News and Policy Update (Winter 2002/03 edition) can be viewed here.

  • The Care & Repair England News and Policy Update briefing paper (Spring 2003 edition) can be viewed here.