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NEWS AND POLICY UPDATE:

Summer 2006

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

HOUSING

  • FINAL ROUND OF DECENT HOMES PROGRAMME AND NEW GUIDANCE
    Department for Communities and Local Government Minister (DCLG), Ruth Kelly, has announced the final bidding round for Decent Homes improvements before the 2010 target date. The Minister said the Government would look for opportunities to combine funding streams, increase partnership working, and give some councils greater flexibility to use their own resources and assets.

    The Department has also published new guidance, A Decent Home: Definition and Guidance for Implementation (replaces the 2004 guidance). This explains a number of Decent Homes policy amendments and seeks to clarify issues that have arisen in the implementation of the programme including the relationship with the introduction of the Housing, Health and Safety Rating Scheme (HHSRS). www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1152190

    In preparation for the Comprehensive Spending Review the Department is looking at the whole issue of Decent Homes and improvements. A discussion paper on this issue has been published, From Decent Homes to Sustainable Communities www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1500524.

  • OLDER PEOPLE, DECENT HOMES AND FUEL POVERTY CONNECTIONS HIGHLIGHTED
    A new report from Help the Aged, which utilises the data of the English House Conditions Survey, reveals a strong link between people over 75 years, fuel poverty and poor housing conditions. Older people who live in rural areas, who live alone or are private tenants are also more likely to live in fuel poverty whilst people living in social rented housing were the least likely, The report highlights the danger of the 40% of older households who are spending 5-10% of their income on fuel (nearly double the proportion of younger households) falling into fuel poverty as prices rise. The report calls for a step change in efforts to improve housing quality and thermal comfort in older people’s housing, particularly in the owner occupied and private rented sectors. www.helptheaged.org.uk.

  • LEAKED GOVERNMENT REPORT HIGHLIGHTS LACK OF INVESTMENT IN PRIVATE SECTOR REPAIR
    Funding levels for private sector housing improvement are out of all proportion to the scale of the problem, according to a leaked Government report by DTZ Pieda. Despite the concentration of poor housing in the private sector the report says that only £30 million (equating to £26 per property) has been allocated for local authority schemes to help to improve the homes of vulnerable people living in private sector accommodation, compared with billions spent on social rented homes. See article in Inside Housing: www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/article.aspx?articleid=1447668

  • LABOUR HOUSING GROUP CALL FOR HIGHER MORTGAGES FOR PEOPLE IN NON DECENT HOMES
    Home owners whose properties are not up to a decent standard should be made to pay a higher rate of mortgage interest to ‘incentivise’ them to undertake improvements. This is a suggestion being put forward by Labour Housing Group to the Government’s Sustainable Communities Policy Commission as a way of tackling disrepair. See: www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/article.aspx?articleid=1447734

  • GOVERNMENT THINK TANK REPORT LOOKS AT USE OF HOUSING WEALTH
    Housing Wealth: First Timers to Old Timers looks at the potential of housing wealth to meet needs in retirement. The research by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) looks at market provision of equity release, interactions with the benefits system, public attitudes, and barriers to trading down. It suggests that one way that pensioners living in poverty could be moved away from the breadline is by downsizing their home or through equity release.

    Controversially, it says that there is a weak case for Government to support equity release, but it does suggest that Government could help by reducing benefit disincentives, improving the availability of financial advice, ensuring that there is enough housing suitable for retirement and by helping older people with the logistical process of moving. The work that Care & Repair England undertook on Housing Options/Move On service provision through the ‘Should I Stay or Should I Go? programme is referred to. For executive summary, contents page, sample chapter and order form see www.ippr.org/publicationsandreports/publication.asp?id=463

  • PUTTING HOUSING FOR AN AGEING POPULATION ON THE MAP: FREE RESOURCES FROM HOPDEV
    The aspirations and priorities of older people remain unheard and at the margins of housing policy according to a new report: ‘Older People’s Housing Strategies: Key Policy Drivers’ published by the advisory body to Government, the Housing And Older People Development Group (HOPDEV).

    The report was launched at the June HOPDEV conference alongside a CD Rom- the ‘At Home’ Audit Tool for Housing and Related Services for Older Minority Ethnic People, Age Equality in Housing brochure about how to tackle age discrimination in housing, Older People’s Housing Strategies: Taking Account of Older People’s Views’ summary of older people’s housing priorities and ‘Housing Advice and Information for Older People’ which highlights key issues for future advice provision. Copies of the report, brochures and limited free copies of the CD Rom Toolkit are available from http://hopdev.housingcare.org/publications.aspx?

  • HOUSING, CARE AND SUPPORT OF OLDER PEOPLE IN RURAL AREAS RESEARCH
    With almost 1 in 3 people in rural areas aged 55+ compared with 1 in 4 in urban areas, housing and older people is a key rural issue. The Commission for Rural Communities (formerly the Countryside Agency) and the Housing Corporation have published research which includes the outcomes of consultations with older people living in rural areas re: housing aspirations, a review of national policy/ 2001 Census/Survey of English Housing data, plus 5 case study areas. The report also offers advice to policy makers on how best to meet older people’s housing and support needs. For a short summary report and main publication see: www.ruralcommunities.gov.uk/article.asp?aID=104&pID=1

  • HOME INFORMATION PACKS AND ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATES
    Home Information Packs and, within these, Energy Performance Certificates become mandatory in England and Wales from June 07. A dedicated website has been launched by the Government with details of the scheme. www.homeinformationpacks.gov.uk/home.aspx For a sample Energy Performance Certificate see: www.communities.gov.uk/pub/761/EnergyPerformanceCertificateSample_id1500761.pdf

  • SUPPORTING PEOPLE: CHANGED GRANT CONDITIONS
    The ending of the requirement for local authorities to carry out service reviews is one of the changes to the Grant Conditions and Directions issued by Supporting People. Handyperson schemes are now eligible for SP funding (previously specifically excluded). Details on www.spkweb.org.uk .

  • SUPPORTING PEOPLE: INSPECTORS CALL FOR SUPPORT ACROSS RANGE OF HOUSING OPTIONS
    In their recent report about SP (‘Supporting People – Promoting Independence’) the Commission for Social Care Inspection called for a shift away from buildings based support towards promoting independence across housing options. They found limited capacity in the programme for service users to move to less supported housing or extend support to people living in their own homes – one of the early objectives of the programme. www.csci.org.uk/default.aspx?page=1416&key=

HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE NEWS

  • DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH SECTION 64 BIDDING ROUND FOR 07-08 OPENS
    The Section 64 General Scheme of Grants is the Department of Health’s main source of funding to the voluntary and community sector in England. Applications for funding have to be for innovative work which is of national significance, which compliments statutory services and helps to secure and promote high quality health and social care. There are defined priorities in the guidance. The deadline for Stage 1 applications is the 28th July. www.dh.gov.uk/section64

  • SELF ASSESSMENT FOR EQUIPMENT AND ADAPTATIONS
    The SARA – Self Assessment, Rapid Access - system helps disabled people to identify what equipment may be useful to them and gives information about buying or borrowing plus helpful contacts. The SARA system is up and running on the Disabled Living Foundation website http://www.dlf.org.uk/sara/index.html

  • “LEAN THINKING FOR THE NHS” – REDESIGNING HOSPITALS TO MAXIMISE EFFICIENCY
    The NHS confederation has published this influential report which calls on hospital managers to root out inefficiencies through the application of the ‘lean thinking’ methods used by the commercial sector and others. Hospital discharge has come in for particular criticism. There may be opportunities for the providers of housing related hospital discharge schemes and related initiatives to contribute to local reviews. www.nhsconfed.org/docs/lean.pdf

  • KEEPING UP WITH DEVELOPMENTS IN TELECARE
    As local authorities finalise plans for spending their allocation of Prevention Technology funding, providers and commissioners can keep up to date with relevant developments by registering to receive a regular e-newsletter. Interest can be registered at telecare@icesdoh.org . All previous telecare eNewsletters are available at www.icesdoh.org/telecare . The Care Services Improvement Partnership will also be providing update information through the Housing & Telecare Learning and Improvement Networks (LINs) which has a slightly different newsletter arrangement and covers the important telecare initiatives in housing developments. You can find out more about the Housing & Telecare LINs at www.changeagentteam.org.uk/index.cfm?pid=10

  • PAYING FOR LONG TERM CARE – NATIONAL CRITERIA PROPOSED
    Who meets the cost of continuing care – NHS, Social Services or the individual – has been the subject of a number of high profile cases. A national framework to replace the 28 different sets of criteria operating in strategic health authority areas has been put forward for consultation by DH – ‘National Framework for NHS Continuing Healthcare and NHS Funded Nursing Care in England’. See www.dh.gov.uk

MONEY

  • INFLATION HITTING OLDER PEOPLE HARDEST
    Older people are being disproportionately hit by the rising cost of essential items such as fuel, food and housing, according to a report by Alliance Trust. The study is looking at how inflation affects different age groups and has revealed that the oldest households face the highest rate of inflation. On average, the inflation rate facing households run by the over 75s is 46% higher than that facing all households. Older retired people (75+) face a higher rate of inflation than younger retirees (65-75) - on average the difference between the two groups was 20%.www.alliancetrusts.com/research_home.htm

  • DEBT RISES AMONGST OVER 60s
    A debt advice charity, The Consumer Credit Counselling Service, is reporting a significant growth in debt levels amongst people over 60. On average over 60s who are coming to them for help owe £33,658 – a rise of 25%. This compares with average debts of £15,079 for those 18-24 yrs and £34,456 for those 40-59 yrs. The charity says that older people have been aggressively targeted by banks, credit card firms and loan companies as they are seen as a safe market. Increasingly older people are going into debt simply to meet day to day living costs. www.cccs.co.uk/media/Article.aspx?ArtID=PR20060622

  • JRF RECOMMENDS REFORM OF THE SOCIAL FUND
    Recent research by the JRF has shown that, in its current form, the Social Fund is making only a limited contribution to meeting the Government’s objectives of combating poverty and social exclusion. They have recommended immediate and longer-term reforms to the system. For a summary of the findings: www.jrf.org.uk/knowledge/findings/socialpolicy/0316.asp

  • DISABILITY RIGHTS HANDBOOK – NEW EDITION
    The Disability Alliance has published a new edition of this essential reference book for disabled people and their advisers. Written in a clear and accessible style, the handbook covers welfare benefits, tax and related services for disabled people. £19 (or £22.33 CDRom) from www.disabilityalliance.org or Tel: 020 7247 8776

  • AWARDS FOR ALL – HIGH SUCCESS RATE CONTINUES
    Since April this year it has become possible for local groups to apply for an Awards for All grant of up to £10,000 for a project. This has not resulted in massive over-subscription to the fund to date and according to the Directory of Social Change, success rates remain exceptionally high. The main reason for applications being rejected is because they ask for money for ongoing running costs such as salaries or rent rather than for specific activities (a clear funding criterion). Details: www.awardsforall.org.uk

NEWS

  • CHOICES IN RETIREMENT HOUSING: YOUR GUIDE TO ALL THE OPTIONS
    This is a comprehensive guide to all aspects of rented and leasehold retirement housing. Intended for older people and advisors alike this 215 page publication by Age Concern is available from EAC at £9.99 incl. p&p, with discounts for 15 or more copies. Tel. 020 7820 1343

  • CONSULTATION ON THE THIRD SECTOR
    The Cabinet Office and the Treasury have launched a review of the future of the third sector with regard to social and economic regeneration to inform the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review. There will be a series of regional consultation events running from now until 19 September 2006. Details of events and briefing from www.urbanforum.org.uk/events/outside_events.html

  • DEFINING THE VALUES OF THE THIRD SECTOR
    With the Government’s growing interest in the delivery of public services by the third sector there are concerns amongst some providers that this could inhibit the sector’s independence, its potential for advocacy and its scope for more radical action to bring about social change. The Baring Foundation and Esmée Fairbairn have supported an initiative undertaken by Community Links to investigate these issues. The results of their inquiries into the values of the third sector have now been published (‘Living Values’). The resulting report includes a useful toolkit of exercises that third sector organisations could make use of as part of any internal review of their organisation. www.community-links.org

  • DECLINING FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR OLDER PEOPLE FROM FAMILIES?
    Research from engage Mutual Assurance, undertaken as part of their three generation Britain campaign, suggests that 89% of Britons are not prepared to provide financial support to their parents when they reach retirement age, and more than eight out of ten (83%) people cannot afford to support their parents using what they currently have in savings. Almost 40 % expect the state to pay for typical expenses associated with old age, such as temporary or permanent care and housing, in addition to pensions. www.engagemutual.com/press.asp

  • ACCESS AND DESIGN TO BECOME PART OF PLANNING APPLICATION PROCESS
    The Department for Communities and Local Government has published new guidance requiring most planning applications to include a statement on access and design standards. The statements must set out how issues such as how disabled access have been addressed in the proposed development. Measures come into force on 10th August 2006. For details see the Circular, “Guidance on Changes to the Development Control System”, www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1500620

    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 an Industrial and Provident Society with Charitable Status Reg 25121

    Previous Newsletters
    • 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.