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NEWS AND POLICY UPDATE:

Summer 05

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

HOUSING

  • SURVEY OF ENGLISH HOUSING 2003-4
    The number of homes in the social rented sector continues to fall steadily, with 18% of households now in this sector (19% in 02-3), 71% owner occupied (no change) and 11% private rented (10% in 02-03). The major tenure shift has been the transfer of local authority housing to housing associations which now manage 37% of social rented housing. The survey estimates that 1.4 million people have a medical condition or disability that requires specially adapted accommodation, half living in owner occupied housing. Housing in England 2003-4 Part 1, Trends in Tenure and Cross Tenure Topics www.odpm.gov.uk/seh

  • POST ELECTION MINISTERIAL CHANGES
    A new senior appointment of Minister for communities and local government was made at ODPM, with David Miliband taking up this role. Nick Raynesford, former minister for local government is no longer a minister. Yvette Cooper is promoted to minister of state at ODPM, alongside Phil Woolas. Baroness Andrews becomes parliamentary secretary - disability issues (hence the DFG review) are one of her areas of responsibility.

  • HEALTH RISKS AND HEALTH INEQUALITIES - NEW PUBLICATION FROM HOUSING LIN
    This toolkit examines specific health conditions and risks, links each of these to housing and environmental conditions and suggests possible remedial action. Developed by Professor Tim Blackman of the University of Durham, it provides comprehensive links to the research and evidence base for the housing and health connections identified. www.changeagentteam.org.uk/housing

  • FREE SELF TRAINING PACKAGE ON HOUSING OPTIONS FOR OLDER PEOPLE
    HOPDEV, the government's advisor body on housing and older people, has published 'Providing housing advice for older people - a self training kit for advisers'. Aimed at the non-specialist it covers main housing, care and support options, understanding housing needs and aspirations, finding out what is available and referring to specialist help. Currently downloadable in simple word format from www.housingcare.org or via the Housing Advice section of the Care & Repair England website.

  • STAIRLIFTS
    A survey by the Consumers Association (Which?, June 05) has revealed massive differences between the prices quoted for installation of a stairlift, ranging from £1,650 from a small company, Baker Stairlifts, to £3,502 from Stannah. Which? strongly advises consumers to shop around for a number of quotes, never to sign a contract at the initial sales visit and to check the warranty and repair costs.

  • NEW REPORT FROM JOSEPH ROWNTREE - HOUSING POLICIES: NEW TIMES, NEW FOUNDATIONS
    Drawing on experience in the UK, Australia, Canada and New Zealand this report assesses the possibilities and challenges for current housing policy. The author argues that in the 1980s and 1990s changes in economic activity, social priorities and ideology tended to focus housing policy on income-related assistance and expanding home-ownership. Now, a revived recognition of housing's significance for both social and economic well-being is leading to new policy approaches. www.jrf.org.uk/bookshop/details.asp?pubID=684

  • GARDENING SCHEMES BEWARE
    New laws to control hedge heights came into force on 1st June. Where neighbours are unable to resolve a dispute about a hedge the local authority can intervene and serve a remedial notice. Failure to comply with this notice can result in a fine of £1,000. The hedge must not be over 2 mtrs, act as a barrier to light or access, and adversely affect a person's enjoyment of their home or garden. www.odpm.gov.uk/treesandhedges

  • WARM FRONT CHANGES
    Changes to the Warm Front grant scheme are due to come into force during June 05 (final date awaited). Key changes include a grant of up to £4,000 for oil central heating for people not on mains gas, an increase in grant to £2,700 for other central heating and extension of central heating grant for those under 60. Once finalised the full details will be available from www.eaga.co.uk

HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE NEWS

  • INDEPENDENCE, WELL-BEING AND CHOICE - ADULT SOCIAL CARE GREEN PAPER
    This green paper heralds a radical shake up of social care, with a shift of emphasis towards prevention and service user empowerment. Anticipated to significantly change the relationship between the state and the individual, the green paper envisages the role of social services as one of enabling and facilitating rather than rationing, with individualized budgets and expansion of direct payments. Commentators have broadly welcomed the proposals whilst expressing some concerns about achieving these aims within existing funding levels (the changes are described as 'cost neutral'), particularly given demographic trends. Comments can be made up to 28th July. For full document, summary, and brochure see www.dh.gov.uk/socialcare

  • COMMUNITY CARE STATISTICS 2004 - FEWER RECEIVE HOME CARE FOR MORE HOURS
    The trend for fewer people to receive home care for more hours is continuing. In 2004, home care contact hours increased by 6% compared with 2003, but with a 2% fall in the number of households receiving home care. The numbers in residential care also continued to fall, with a 2% decrease, but more people were placed in care homes out of their home authority (up by 3%). www.dh.gov.uk - Community Care Statistics 2004.

  • MINISTERIAL CHANGES AT DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
    The post election reshuffle saw Patricia Hewitt appointed as Secretary of State for Health. Stephen Ladyman, architect of the Green Paper on Adult Social Care, departs DH and his former role of community care minister is taken on by high flyer Liam Byrne (who became an MP only last year).

  • OPTIONS FOR FINANCING LONG TERM CARE -REPORT BY JOSEPH ROWNTREE FOUNDATION
    Long-term care provision has been the subject of much debate and analysis over the past decade, yet the issue of how to fund the cost of that care for future generations remains unresolved. There is a perceived unfairness around the current system and much of the debate has revolved around how the State should address the problem and what should be the responsibilities and liabilities of the individual. This report reviews the current options and makes recommendations for a way forward. Private funding mechanisms for long-term care by Sandy Johnstone, www.jrf.org.uk

  • NEW EDITION OF DISABILITY RIGHTS HANDBOOK
    The Disability Alliance has published the 05-06 edition of this essential guide to money and services for disabled people. Price £16.50 incl pp www.disabilityalliance.org Tel: 020 7247 8776

MONEY

  • FUTUREBUILDERS - NEW APPLICATION OPPORTUNITY
    This Home Office backed investment fund for developing the capacity of the Voluntary and Community Sector to deliver public services has announced that an application 'window' is open from June 05, closing on 30th September 05. Loan funding is a substantial part of every Futurebuilders investment and bids must include the aim of moving towards long-term sustainability. www.futurebuilders-england.org.uk

  • SUPPORT FOR SOCIAL ENTERPRISES TO TACKLE RURAL SOCIAL EXCLUSION
    Small grants (£2k-12k) and free help from specialist advisers are being made available for groups in four regions (NW, NE, E Mids and SW) who are starting or developing an activity which provides benefits to rural residents suffering from economic or social exclusion. See www.enterprise4inclusion.org.uk

  • KINGS FUND ANNOUNCES £1M FUNDING PROGRAMME FOR LONDON
    'Partners for Health in London' is a new funding programme focusing on four key areas: end of life care, sexual health, mental health advocacy and integrated health care. Announced in June 05, the fund will be opened for applications in the early autumn. For further details and to request an email alert check http://www.kingsfund.org.uk/Grants/

  • MONEY FOR OLDER PEOPLE
    In the March 2005 Budget Speech, the Chancellor announced a one-off payment of up to £200 to help older people with Council Tax bills and a £50 payment to help with living expenses. Both payments are tax-free and will not affect a person's State Pension or any other benefits. People aged 65 or over, not in receipt of the guarantee element of Pension Credit during the qualifying week (19 to 25 September 2005) will receive a payment of £200 per household. People aged 70 or over who receive the guarantee element of Pension Credit during this qualifying week will receive a payment of £50 to help with living expenses. These 'Age-related Payments 2005' should be paid automatically with the Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2005/06.

  • ESMEE FAIRBAIRN FOUNDATION LAUNCHES NEW FUNDING GUIDELINES
    Social Change: Enterprise and Independence is the focus of the new £9.4m grant programme announced by the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation. Its aim is to "enable people and communities facing disadvantage to improve their lives". Details: www.esmeefairbairn.org.uk

NEWS

  • 'OPPORTUNITY AGE' - THE GOVERNMENT STRATEGY FOR AN AGEING SOCIETY
    This first ever government strategy for an ageing society looks at all aspects of economic and social life affected by demographic change: employment, healthier and more active ageing and services, such as health, care and housing (pension reform is being dealt with by the Pension Commission). There is considerable reference to the importance of housing - for example ""Older people have a right to live in decent, warm accommodation. We will ensure that an increasing proportion can do so, both now - through our decent homes initiative - and in the future we will frame our policies to recognise the increasing proportion of older people who are owner-occupiers". Consultation ends July 28th 2005. www.dwp.gov.uk/opportunity_age

  • EXCLUDED OLDER PEOPLE - SOCIAL EXCLUSION UNIT INTERIM REPORT
    This report is the result of extensive consultations with older people. It has identified three key areas; joined up services, investment in low level, preventative services and involving older people in service design and delivery. The section on housing reflects this front line consultation, identifying access to repairs and adaptations and help to stay put as critical issues, with care & repair/ handyman services specifically mentioned. Comments welcome until the end of July 05. www.socialexclusion.gov.uk

  • QUEENS' SPEECH
    Bills of particular relevance to the housing, health and social care sectors that are included in the forthcoming session of Parliament include the Charities Bill (will introduce public benefit test), Consumer Credit Bill (increases protection against unfair lending), Housing Benefit Bill (to introduce flat rate allowance), Incapacity Benefit Bill (changes benefits for severely disabled) and Equality Bill (creates new Commission for Equality and Human Rights).

  • DSC GUIDES TO THE MAJOR GRANT MAKING TRUSTS
    Updated and revised editions of Vols 1&2 of the Guide to the Major Trusts (£29.95 each) plus the comprehensive Directory of Grant Making Trusts (£85) have been published by the Directory of Social Change. They also produce a Trusts Database CD-Rom. www.dsc.org.uk, 08450 777707

  • DISABLED PEOPLE AND SHARED HOUSING
    The Disability Rights Commission (DRC) are collecting information about problems experienced by disabled people who own or rent a flat in a larger block and who are experiencing problems with making adjustments to 'common parts' eg. refusal of permission by landlord. DRC are part of a government (DWP led) working party looking at this issue and the information collected will be used to inform this review. For questionnaire email tracey.gleeson@drc-gb.org See www.drc-gb.org

    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
    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.

    Care & Repair England is supported by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister
    Care & Repair England is an Industrial and Provident Society with Charitable Status Reg 25121

    Previous Newsletters
    • 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.