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NEWS AND POLICY UPDATE:

Winter 2009

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

HOUSING
  • EXCESS WINTER DEATHS DOUBLE
    There was a 49% increase in the number of excess winter deaths in England during 08-09 compared with the previous year (34,200 compared with 23,290), the highest level since 1999-2000. Half of these excess deaths occurred in people aged over 85 (17,000). As well as being more vulnerable to cold related illness, such as respiratory and cardio-vascular conditions, this age group is more likely to live in cold homes without central heating and to have lower incomes than other age groups. www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_health/HSQ44.pdf

  • THE REAL COST OF POOR HOUSING: QUANTIFYING THE COST TO THE NHS
    A forthcoming report highlights the large body of evidence linking adverse health effects with poor housing. It shows how the health costs of specific hazards can be measured along with 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. Removal of falls hazards offers potentially, the greatest saving to the NHS. Homes with Category 1 Hazards are shown to be more prevalent in rural areas, with excess cold and falls risk hazards around twice as likely in private rented and owner occupied homes. About 75% of Cat 1 Hazards could be addressed at a cost of £4,000 or less. ‘The Real Cost of Poor Housing’ publ. BRE on 15/12/09 www.bre.co.uk

  • AUDIT COMMISSION CALLS FOR MORE ACTION ON PRIVATE SECTOR HOUSING
    The Audit Commission in its report Building better lives finds that councils feel pressured into focusing on building new housing. 94% of councils prioritised new and/or affordable housing targets, but fewer than a third prioritised targets relating to their existing housing stock. This is despite the financial savings, environmental improvements and social benefits of doing so. Few councils recognise how housing strategies can meet objectives beyond housing, eg, how expenditure on adaptations can result in care cost savings. The government’s decision to switch 25% of this year’s private sector housing funding into new build has further reduced capacity to address private sector conditions. www.audit-commission.gov.uk/localgov/nationalstudies/buildingbetterlives
    /Pages/buildingbetterlives_copy.aspx

  • BEYOND DECENT HOMES: SELECT COMMITTEE INQUIRY
    The tenor of the debate at this Communities and Local Government Select Committee Inquiry indicates that all parties are looking at both the definition of the Decent Homes Standard and also the future of setting a national Decent Homes Target for improving the housing stock. Given a political backdrop of reducing national targets and controls over local authorities, the conclusions of the Inquiry could be far reaching. For details: www.parliament.uk/parliamentary_committees/clg.cfm . Care & Repair England submission: www.careandrepair-england.org.uk/pdf/beyond_decent_homes.pdf

  • DISABLED FACILITIES GRANTS – TIME TO ADAPT?
    Care & Repair England’s latest report, Time to Adapt - Home adaptations for older people, the increase in need and future of state provision, calls for a high profile debate about the roles and responsibilities of the state and the individual for provision of home adaptations.

    The report sets out the key policy and practice issues that are emerging as a consequence of an increasing older population, rising disability levels, the growth in owner occupation (particularly amongst lower income groups) and the availability of statutory help. It analyses demographic and related trends and estimates possible future need. Based on current projections by 2036 around 810,000 people aged 75 or more will be living in properties unsuitable for their needs, the majority (around 70%) in owner-occupied homes. www.careandrepair-england.org.uk/timetoadapt.htm

  • DISABLED FACILITIES GRANTS – HEADING FOR A CRISIS?
    A new survey by Foundations, the national body for home improvement agencies (HIAs), has revealed that nearly a quarter of local authority DFG budgets are already exhausted, with a further 31% potentially significantly overspent. 17% of HIAs report that their local authority has reduced their contribution to the DFG budget, with just over a third reported as either undecided or unknown. Over half of agencies are reporting an increase in waiting times for DFGs and 70% experiencing a rise in demand with the largest demand increase from older people. www.foundations.uk.com

  • ADAPTATIONS FOR SOCIAL RENTED TENANTS BARELY MENTIONED IN PROPOSED STANDARDS
    Despite the fact that nearly half of all social rented tenants have a disability the Tenants Services Authority’s (TSA) consultation on national standards for social landlords hardly mentions adaptations. It would seem that the TSA’s perspective is that housing association tenants have a legal right to apply for a Disabled Facilities Grant so there should be no obligations on the landlord to assist with adaptations. If all disabled social housing tenants made DFG applications, the DFG funding crisis would worsen considerably as most budgets are already inadequate to meet the needs of private sector households. Consultation closes 5th Feb 10. www.tenantservicesauthority.org/server/show/nav.14649

  • ENGLISH HOUSE CONDITIONS SURVEY 2007 ANNUAL REPORT ANALYSES ACCESSIBILITY
    The EHCS 2007 report includes expanded sections on the accessibility of the housing stock as well as more detail on disparities in housing conditions. These reveal that vulnerable (defined by low income) people over 75 years are the group most likely to live in non-decent homes, 36.5% compared with households with children (31.4%), but that non-vulnerable people over 75 are the most prevalent in cold homes (13.7% compared with households with children 7.6%). The report notes that 4.5 million households (21% of all) include one or more people with a reported mobility problem the majority of whom are aged 60 years or more. However, only 3% of homes have four basic features (level access, flush threshold, Part M standard doorways/ circulation space and a downstairs WC that make them even ‘visitable’ for a person with mobility problems. 2.6 million additional homes (12% of the housing stock) could be made visitable if only minor works were carried out. www.communities.gov.uk/publications/corporate/statistics/ehcs2007annualreport

  • CABE CALLS FOR BETTER SPACE STANDARDS AND DESIGN FOR ALL AGES
    The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) has added to the growing demand to design and build new homes to standards that are better suited for all ages (Homes for our old age) and also to improve space standards (Space in Homes: What Residents Think). www.cabe.org.uk

  • HAPPY ABOUT HAPPI’s VIEWS?
    The Housing for an Ageing Population Panel on Innovation (HAPPI) has published the conclusions of its deliberations following a summer spent visiting housing for older people across Europe. It recommends that the design and development of new homes for older people must become a national priority if the UK is to avoid a future housing crisis. http://www.homesandcommunities.co.uk/Housing-Ageing-Population-Panel-Innovation. Films of the Panels’ visits to schemes across Europe on YouTube site: http://www.youtube.com/user/HCAuk

  • OWNER OCCUPATION FALLS, PRIVATE RENTING RISES, PURCHASES SLUMP
    In 2008 owner occupation in England fell to 68% of households (18% social tenants / 14% private renters). This compares with 71%/ 18%/ 11% in 2003. There were an estimated 7,300 social housing sales to sitting tenants in England in 2008-09, nearly two thirds down from 2007-08 (19,360) and a fraction of the peak year of 2003-4 (88,330). www.communities.gov.uk/documents/statistics/pdf/1400509.pdf

  • EXTENSIONS, LOFT CONVERSIONS AND PORCHES WITHOUT PLANNING PERMISSION: NEW GUIDE
    Extensions, loft conversions and porches which fall under the new permitted development regime no longer require planning permission provided certain limits and conditions are met. New visual guides are available aimed at clarifying the guidance. These are available on the Planning Portal www.planningportal.gov.uk/england/public/tools/house/

HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE NEWS

  • CARE QUALITY COMMISSION RATINGS OF SOCIAL SERVICES HIT THE HEADLINES
    In its first report about adult social care since taking over responsibility for the regulation of all adult health and social care in England, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has praised improvements but called for a renewed effort to eliminate poor quality services. The CQC notes that only 42 authorities assist people who are in the ‘moderate’ or ‘low’ need category and expresses concern that some councils may raise eligibility criteria still further as public spending is squeezed. Eight authorities were singled out for special measures. Aids and adaptations provision is included as one of the measures in the assessment category ‘Improved quality of life’ but the published report does not enable examination of the results for this specific issue. www.cqc.org.uk/

  • CARE DEBATE GOES UP THE POLITICAL AGENDA – PERSONAL CARE AT HOME BILL PUBLISHED
    The surprise announcement by the Prime Minister to provide free personal care at home for people who meet FACS Critical level criteria and who need help with four daily activities continues to cause controversy. The Personal Care at Home Bill has now been published by the government which says that this specific measure will result in about 277,000 people getting free care. Social Services leaders are claiming that this is a serious underestimate and that many people who are currently paying for care will come forward for help. The Bill also includes measures to ensure that people undergo re-ablement before qualifying for free care. www.dh.gov.uk/en/News/Recentstories/DH_109154

  • HANDYPERSON & HOUSING SERVICES MENTIONED IN DEPT OF HEALTH FALLS GUIDANCE
    The Department of Health (DH) has published Best Practice Guidance on falls which includes reference to the importance of housing and environment in falls prevention. Falls and fractures: Effective interventions in health and social care is one of a series of documents aimed at Primary Care Trusts, Strategic Health Authorities and Local Authorities to prioritise and commission services that support the health, wellbeing and independence of older people. The report notes that ‘HIAs are critical partners with whom commissioners should engage as part of an integrated approach to falls prevention’ (p20). www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/dh_103146

  • SOCIAL SERVICES SHOULD SPEND MORE ON CARE AT HOME, LESS ON CARE HOMES
    The Dept of Health has recommended that local authorities should be aiming to spend no more than 40% of their adult care budgets on care or nursing home placements. In 2008-9 the England-wide figure was 47%. Use of resources in adult social care: A guide for local authorities www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications
    /PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_107596

  • FORTHCOMING EQUALITY LAW: CONSULTATION ON AGE EQUALITY IN HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE
    The forthcoming Equalities Bill will ban age discrimination against adults in public services. This has particular implications for health and social care because age can be a factor in decisions about some treatments and services. A consultation is open (deadline 15th February 10) to gather views on this issue. www.dh.gov.uk/en/News/Recentstories/DH_109058

MONEY
  • ROYAL BRITISH LEGION REIGNS IN SPENDING ON ADAPTATIONS
    Help to enable people to live independently at home has been a priority area of expenditure for RBL in recent years. As a result expenditure on home adaptations has rocketed from half a million pounds to £4.50m. RBL have decided that this is unsustainable and will no longer meet the cost of adaptations where a person is entitled to a disabled facilities grant (DFG), though they will still consider applications where the cost is less than £400. They will support beneficiaries to submit a claim and to challenge authorities who fail to meet their statutory obligations.

  • CAPITAL THRESHOLD FOR HOUSING BENEFIT AND COUNCIL TAX BENEFIT INCREASES
    From 2nd November 2009 the capital disregard for Pension Credit and pensioner-related Housing Benefit (HB) and Council Tax Benefit (CTB) changed to £10,000 instead of the previous £6,000. Controversy over the percentage interest that is assumed on savings continues as this remains at a deduction of £1 per week for every £500 of savings, despite the fall in interest rates. www.direct.gov.uk

  • WINTER FUEL PAYMENTS DUE NOW FOR NEARLY EVERYONE OVER 60
    With a few exceptions, anyone who was 60 yrs by 27/09/09 and in receipt of state pension (or certain other benefits) should by now have received a winter fuel payment of £250 (£400 for those over 80, half the amount where a person lives with another qualifying person). Claims and queries can be dealt with through the Winter Fuel Payments Helpline 0845 915 1515 or for full details see: www.direct.gov.uk/en/Pensionsandretirementplanning/Benefits
    /BenefitsInRetirement/DG_10018657

  • SIX MONTH WAIT FOR WARM FRONT AS FUNDS RUN SHORT
    Eaga, the organisation running the government's Warm Front scheme, is warning households who have applied for help that they will have to wait at least six months following unprecedented demand.

  • COMIC RELIEF UK GRANTS PROGRAMME FOR OLDER PEOPLE OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS
    The aim of this year’s programme is to support older people to bring positive change to their communities. In particular, the scheme is keen to fund projects that i) bring generations together to learn from each other ii) encourage older people to act as a resource for other older people iii) support those less physically and mentally able iv) engage hard to reach groups such as BME elders, frail older people, older people with mental health needs, older carers and older people on low incomes v) generate profits to further social or environmental goals. DEADLINE: 11th Jan 10. www.comicrelief.com/apply_for_a_grant/uk/olderpeople

NEWS
  • ‘YOUR DOORSTEP, YOUR DECISION’ – ROGUE TRADERS CAMPAIGN AIMED AT PEOPLE OVER 70
    The Office for Fair Trading has launched a campaign to raise awareness of how to handle doorstep sales tactics and reduce the risks posed by rogue traders particularly amongst women over 70, their families, friends and carers. A campaign resource pack is available with free materials and suggestions for activities to support the campaign. www.oft.gov.uk/news/campaigns/doorstep/

  • GOODBYE HELP THE AGED AND AGE CONCERN – HELLO AGE UK
    The charity formed by the merger of Help the Aged and Age Concern is to be called Age UK from next Spring. The group will include Age Scotland, Age Cymru and Age NI.

  • OLDER PEOPLE WANT TO LIVE INDEPENDENTLY AT HOME BUT DON’T PLAN AHEAD
    A survey commissioned by a private sector housing provider has found that 62% of retired people have not thought about their living arrangements for the future and 49% of those 80+ have still not considered this. When asked about their priorities for their future living arrangements, 77% said that living in their own home was the most important factor yet few had planned ahead to enable this to happen. 32% waited until home maintenance or health problems forced them to think about their living arrangements. ‘The Independence Report’ is available from vhodson@golleyslater.co.uk

  • FIRSTSTOP HOUSING ADVICE AND INFORMATION – FREE TRAINING RESOURCE
    FirstStop Advice is an independent, free service providing advice and information for older people, their families and carers about care and housing options in later life. Care & Repair England is working with FirstStop on a training programme for advisers and with them to support the development of local options housing advice services. A free self training manual is now available (Advising Older People about their Housing Choices in Later Life) as well as a useful self help brochure (Housing and Care Options for Older People). www.firststopcareadvice.org.uk/

  • HOUSING IMPORTANT TO OLDER PEOPLE – REPORT FROM DAME JOAN BAKEWELL
    Dame Joan Bakewell, in her government appointed role as the ‘Voice of Older People’, has published a report about the key messages that have emerged from her correspondence with older people over the past year. She notes that a significant proportion of letters are about housing, including the removal of wardens in sheltered housing, the threat of having to sell one’s home to pay for nursing home fees and wanting the independence and the means to be able to stay in one’s own home. www.equalities.gov.uk/pdf/299763_GEO_VoiceOfOlderPeople_acc.pdf

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 (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.