Link to about us section link to advice and information link to news section link to publications section link to site map
link to handyperson section link to healthy homes healthier lives section link to housing action section link to housing options section Link to learning Disabilities web pages
link to what's new section link to facts and figures section link to events section link to policy information link to newsletter section link to events section link to facts and figures section


 

NEWS AND POLICY UPDATE:

Summer 2004

This briefing is aimed at the providers and commissioners of housing related services for older and disabled people

HOUSING

  • JULY SPENDING REVIEW - EFFICIENCY SAVINGS TARGET ANTICIPATED
    As part of the Comprehensive Spending Review, Treasury and ODPM are expected to set a target for councils and housing associations to make efficiency savings of several hundred million pounds. This is linked to Peter Gershon's far reaching review of government efficiency and will be in addition to the 2.5% efficiency improvements required of ODPM funded bodies from April. There is also speculation about a large cut to the Supporting People fund. Details of Gershon review from www.HM-Treasury.gov.uk

  • EXPANSION OF HOME IMPROVEMENT AGENCIES
    78 more local authority areas are to be covered by home improvement agency services as a result of the additional £2m of government funding. 324 local authority areas will now be covered. Details from www.foundations.uk.com

  • CONSULTATION ABOUT RIGHT TO BUY EXEMPTION FOR OLDER PEOPLE'S HOUSING
    Under paragraph 11 of Schedule 5 to the Housing Act 1985, a social tenant can be denied the Right to Buy if the landlord considers that the property concerned is particularly suitable for occupation by elderly persons. Because of a number of legal challenges, the government is seeking to remove ambiguity from the current legislation and is consulting on this issue. Deadline for comments: 6th August. www.odpm.gov.uk/stellent/groups/odpm_housing/documents/
    page/odpm_house_028912.hcsp

  • THE FUTURE OF DISABLED FACILITIES GRANTS
    A joint DH/ODPM/external experts review group has been established to examine the current Disabled Facilities Grant Programme and to make proposals to improve the efficiency of the provision of housing adaptations for disabled people, including consideration of the future of DFGs. Any formal papers or consultation is not anticipated before the end of 2004.

  • COST EFFECTIVENESS OF ADAPTATIONS - HELPFUL NEW RESEARCH
    'At Home with AT' examines the feasibility, acceptability, costs and outcomes of introducing assistive technology (AT) into the existing homes of older people. One of the factors examined is the cost of the AT and care needed to enable an older person to stay in their own home. In general the study found that the higher the level of disability, the sooner savings are achieved when compared with the person going into institutional care. Available from www.kcl.ac.uk/acig (free) or phone Kings College London on 020 7848 3035 (£5 for printed copy).

  • ADAPTATIONS - NEW TECHNICAL MANUAL
    A manual providing guidance on all aspects of adaptations, from application for grant aid to technical design, has been produced by the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign. Whilst written to particularly assist people with muscular dystrophy, it is also useful for other disabilities. Available as CD- ROM (£5 to disabled person/MDC member or £10 to others) or manual (£10/£25). Tel 020 7720 8055, info@muscular-dystrophy.org, www.muscular-dystrophy.org.

  • 2001 CENSUS REVEALS EXTENT OF GROWTH IN OWNER OCCUPATION AMONGST OLDER PEOPLE
    England: Tenure of older people (2001 Census)

    Tenure Rural/Urban
    55-59
    (%)
    60-64
    (%)
    65-74
    (%)
    75-84
    (%)
    85+
    (%)
    All 55+
    (%)
    Owner
    occupied     		Rural
    85.6
    84.4
    81.3
    74.1
    68.6
    80.8
    Urban
    78.8
    77.2
    73.9
    65.2
    58.1
    72.9
    All
    81.7
    80.3
    77.1
    69.0
    62.6
    76.3
    Social
    rented     		Rural
    6.7
    8.4
    11.9
    16.6
    18.6
    11.3
    Urban
    15.5
    17.4
    21.0
    27.4
    30.8
    21.0
    All
    11.7
    13.5
    17.1
    22.7
    25.5
    16.8
    Private
    rented     		Rural
    7.7
    7.2
    6.8
    9.3
    12.8
    7.9
    Urban
    5.8
    5.4
    5.1
    7.4
    11.1
    6.1
    All
    6.6
    6.1
    5.8
    8.2
    11.8
    6.9
    Totals Rural/Urban/All
    100
    100
    100
    100
    100
    100
    Number.
    2,769,675
    2,378,132
    4,059,956
    2,632,067
    763,935
    12,603,765

HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE NEWS

  • NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR OLDER PEOPLE
    The Government is currently developing a national strategy for older people, along the lines of the initiative for children. It is anticipated that this will be completed by the end of the year.

  • MINISTER FLAGS UP RADICAL REVIEW OF ADULT SERVICES
    Community care minister Stephen Ladyman has outlined initial plans for a new approach to adult services. He has invited anyone in the sector to put forward their views about a fresh vision for social care and hopes to deliver firm proposals by late summer.

  • FALL IN HOUSEHOLDS RECEIVING DOMICILIARY CARE
    Between 2000 and 2003 there has been a 9% fall in the number of households receiving domiciliary care, but a 7% rise in those with intensive care packages and a 4% rise in the number of contact hours. www.publications.doh.gov.uk/public/hh2003.htm

MONEY

  • FUNDING FROM DWP FOR BENEFIT TAKE UP INITIATIVES FOR OLDER PEOPLE
    The Department for Works and Pensions (DWP) has set up a new scheme called The Partnership Fund to offer short term funding to local and national organisations, including the voluntary and community sector. Funding is available to establish and manage initiatives that increase the take up of benefits by older people, particularly the vulnerable and those who are harder to reach. Single older (75+) owner occupiers have been identified as a particularly difficult to reach group who are more likely to be missing out on entitlements. The deadline for applications is midday on 30th June 04. See www.thepensionservice.gov.uk for details.

  • £125M FUTUREBUILDERS FUND - ONLINE APPLICATIONS NOW
    Futurebuilders, the government investment programme which aims to assist the voluntary sector to gear up to delivery of public services has been launched. Applications must be made online. www.futurebuilders-england.org.uk

  • SUPPORTING PEOPLE GRANTS FOR SMALL PROVIDERS FROM hact
    Two funds have been announced by hact. 'Make it happen' grants of up to £1,500 for capacity building to meet SP frameworks are aimed at small front line organisations providing housing related support. The networking fund will enable the development of 10 networking initiatives for smaller providers (£5-8,000 per network). Deadlines in August. Details: www.hact.org.uk, Tel 020 7247 7800

  • THE BALANCE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION FOR UNCLAIMED ASSETS
    Launched in 2004 and supported by Gordon Brown, this charity is dedicated to securing release of unclaimed assets from financial institutions such as banks - figures of £20m are being spoken about, but this is contentious. Once money has been obtained the foundation will act as a grant making trust. Social exclusion issues, including financial literacy and educational disadvantage, are expected to be priority areas. Grant making is likely to commence towards the latter quarter of 2004. www.balancefoundation.org.uk

  • BENEFITS - HELP TO APPEAL STILL IMPORTANT
    Appeals against incapacity and disability benefit decisions are successful in more than 40% of cases, the House of Commons public accounts committee has been told. DWP has said that the new forms and systems being rolled out in June 04 should improve the medical assessments, but at the moment there is clearly still an important role for advice services in supporting people to appeal. www.parliament.uk/commons/selcom/pachome.htm

  • HOUSING BENEFIT REFORM
    A second round of Pathfinder authority areas for the further testing of Local Housing Allowance (from April 05) are being sought. Lessons from these plus the initial 9 pilot areas will influence the eventual national roll out of Local Housing Allowance.

    Meanwhile, three housing associations have trialled direct payment of housing benefit to tenants and found that arrears soared. Confirmation by the DWP that they intend to extend the direct payment of housing benefit to tenants is therefore causing consternation amongst landlords.

    CORRECTION - The Association of Charitable Organisations' Helpline number is- 01707 651777

NEWS

  • FSA - NEW REGULATIONS COVERING MORTGAGE AND GENERAL INSURANCE
    Organisations that are involved in helping people buy insurance, apply for and obtain policies or help people make claims under insurance policies may need to apply to the Financial Services Authority to become authorised. Guidance from www.fsa.gov.uk/mgi/

  • PROPOSALS FOR SINGLE EQUALITY BODY PUBLISHED
    The Government White Paper- Fairness for All: A New Commission for Equality and Human Rights (CEHR) sets out the blueprint for bringing together the work of the existing commissions on race, gender and disabilities as well as representing the new areas of religion and belief, sexual orientation and age. Views can be submitted until 6th August www.dti.gov.uk/access/equalitywhitepaper.pdf

  • CHARITIES BILL
    The draft Charities Bill was published on 27th May. The Bill sets out 12 areas under which charities can operate - provision of social housing has not been included. The onus would be on charities to prove that their actions result in public benefit. See www.dsc.org.uk/charityexchange.html. for a briefing or for full Bill: www.homeoffice.gov.uk/comrace/active/charitylaw/index.html.

    One of the options included is to make all charitable bodies register with the Charities Commission. Another suggestion is that the Housing Corporation would become responsible for checking that charitable housing associations not registered with the Commission adhere to charity law.

  • ENABLING OLDER PEOPLE TO USE THE INTERNET
    There is a real danger that older people will become increasingly alienated from a world that revolves more and more around ICT. The Family Spending Survey 2003 (www.statistics.gov.uk) reveals that only 4% of single pensioners and 8% of pensioner couples have a home computer with internet connection. It is therefore important that organisations working with older people look at ways to provide training and web access. For advice, guidance, links to potential sources of funding and ideas about fundable ICT projects look at www.helpisathand.gov.uk/info/support/funding/

  • HOUSING INFORMATION ON LINE
    The Elderly Accommodation Counsel have further expanded their online information system. Using www.housingcare.org you can now access an even wider range of housing information including details of the additional services provided by individual home improvement agencies, comprehensive information about retirement housing for older people and download resource materials from a wide range of organisations.

    This News and Policy Update is produced by:
    Care & Repair England 3rd Floor, Bridgford House, Pavilion Road, West Bridgford NOTTINGHAM NG2 5GJ Tel: 0115 9821527 Fax:0115 9821529
    E.mail:info@careandrepair-england.org.uk
    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.

    Previous Newsletters
    • 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.