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What's New
- News and Policy Update Summer 08
The Summer 08 News and Policy Update is now available here giving a summary of key developments in the housing and related health and social care sectors which impact on older and disabled people.
[June 08]
- Increase to the DFG Maximum Grant Limit and changes to the Test of Resources
The increase in the maximum grant limit for Disabled Facilities Grants, in England, to £30,000 will be effective from the 22nd May 2008. Changes to the Test of Resources will also take place on the 22nd May including; passporting for people in receipt of Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit and people in receipt of Working or Child Tax Credit with gross taxable incomes of less than £15,050.
The relevant Staturory Instruments are available on the Office for Public Information Website Grant Limit - SI 2008 No. 1189 and Test of Resources - SI 2008 1190
- ‘Living on the Edge’ – Care & Repair England launches new report about older people with moderate learning disabilities
Increasing numbers of older people with moderate learning disabilities live in homes which they own. But some are facing crises that may limit their ability to continue to do so.
‘Living on the Edge’ offers service planners, commissioners and providers information about national trends, related policy developments, emerging issues from the front line and practical ideas for improvement.
Click here to see the full report.
Click here to see short leaflet
- Government Launches New Housing Strategy for an Ageing Society
On the 25th February the Government’s new Housing Strategy for an Ageing Society (‘Lifetime Homes, Lifetime Neighbourhoods’) was launched by the Prime Minister Gordon Brown at a breakfast meeting at No 10 Downing Street.
Sue Adams, the Director of Care & Repair England, was at the small gathering at No 10 to discuss the Strategy with senior government ministers, including Hazel Blears, Caroline Flint and Baroness Andrews.
Three service users of the Coventry Orbit Care & Repair scheme had tea with Gordon Brown and talked about the value of their local service.
This Strategy challenges everyone concerned with any aspect of housing, planning and related services to take population ageing seriously.
For full Briefing about the Strategy click here.
For News Release click here.
For link to the Strategy click here.
For link to specific Disabled Facilities Grant changes click here
For link to Impact Assessment of Advice and Information and Rapid Repairs Service click here
For link to launch of Housing Strategy for an Ageing Society on You Tube click here
[February 08]
- Care & Repair England Survey Reveals Failure of Regional Strategies to Address Population Ageing
Population ageing is the major driving force in household growth in most regions. Regional Housing Strategies and Regional Spatial Strategies are major determinants of the development of housing, neighbourhoods and the wider environment. But a national survey of these Strategies, undertaken by Care & Repair England, reveals that few of them adequately address demographic change.
Click here to see the full survey. Click here for a Housing Strategies Good Practice Checklist or the Regional Spatial Strategies Good Practice Checklist
[January 08]
- £11.5m Extra Funding for Disabled Facilities Grants in 2007-8
The Department for Communities and Local Government has announced that an extra £11.5m is being allocated to local authorities to use on DFGs in the current financial year (see http://www.communities.gov.uk/news/corporate/646754 )
This is in addition to the extra £25million for 2008/9 announced in December 07 (see below)
[January 08]
- Increased Funding for Disabled Facilities Grants
The Department for Communities and Local Government has announced that funding for Disabled facilities Grants will increase by £25 million for 2008/09, taking central Government funding up to £146 million. There will also be new three-year contract for a national co-ordinating body for HIAs. A future HIA project will help to ensure that HIAs are fit for the future and to see whether they can deliver wider services, such as housing options advice, gardening services, support for people discharged from hospital.
View DC&LG press release here
[December 2007]
- News and Policy Update Winter 07
The Winter 2007 News and Policy Update is now available here giving a summary of key developments in the housing and related health and social care sectors which impact on older and disabled people.
[December 2007]
- Briefing Regional Housing Pot Distribution (2008-2011) and Private Sector Housing Renewal
This Briefing provides an overview of the way that Government Funding is allocated for housing expenditure and highlights the emerging Regional situation (in November 2007) resulting from the Comprehensive Spending Review financial settlement for 2008-11. Download, in pdf format, here
[December 2007]
- Briefing on Implications of the Comprehensive Spending Review (2008-11), Performance Targets and Indicators for Private Sector Housing
This Briefing provides an overview of the ways that the new frameworks of Government performance targets and indicators (as set out in the Comprehensive Spending Review for 2008-11 and related documentation) potentially impact on private sector housing improvement, repair and adaptation, particularly for older and disabled people.Download, in pdf format, here
[December 2007]
- Care & Repair England Calendar for 2008
A handy desk calendar with Care & Repair England staff contact details on the back.Download, in pdf format, here
[December 2007]
- Response to recent consultation documents
Care & Repair England has submitted comments on the Housing Green Paper'Homes for the future: more affordable, more sustainable' download a copy here and to
the The future of the Code for Sustainable Homes: Making a rating mandatory, download a copy here.
In both it calls on government to move housing for an ageing population from the margins to the centre of housing policy. It calls for Lifetime Homes
Standards to become mandatory in all new build as a first step.
[September 2007]
- The Missing Link: New Handyperson Services Promotional Leaflet Launched
In partnership with Help the Aged, Age Concern England and Foundations, Care & Repair England have launched a new brochure to promote the value of handyperson services. The leaflet calls for government backing for services, making them part of the mainstream of services for older people wherever they live.
Click here for copy. Contact Care & Repair England for printed copies.
[September 2007]
- News & Policy Update Autumn 07
The Autumn 2007 News and Policy Update is now available here giving a summary of key developments in the housing and related health and social care sectors which impact on older and disabled people.
[September 2007]
- The Commissioning Challenge - Sustainable HIA Services?
Details of the Home Improvement Agency Annual Conference 2007 are available on Foundations' website
[September 2007]
- Opening Doors
Care & Repair England's latest annual review, Opening Doors, is now available here
[August 2007]
- DFG Review - Summary of Responses
The Department for Community and Local Government has published a summary of responses to their proposals to reform Disabled Facilities Grants.
The Report available to download, in pdf format, here makes it clear that there will now be no increase in the maximum grant limit in England during the current financial year.
[August 2007]
- Minister Raises the Profile of Older People and Housing
Baroness Andrews, Housing Minister at Communities and Local Government, gave the keynote address at a Fabian Society ‘Next Decade’ lecture on the subject of Housing Provision for an Ageing Society (link to full text of the speech here - lecture took place on 13/6/07)
The Baroness highlighted the centrality of older people in the housing market, noting that 30% of households are already headed by someone over retirement age, and commented on the critical impact of housing on older people’s health and well-being.
“Part of the task of helping [older] people to stay at home involves making the most of our existing housing stock – most of which is in private hands”, said Baroness Andrews, who went on to mention the key role of home improvement agencies in enabling older people to maintain and adapt their homes.
The meeting was also addressed by leading Gerontologist, Professor Alan Walker, and the newly appointed Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute of Housing, Sarah Webb.
- Response to Disabled Facilities Grant Programme Consultation Paper
Care & Repair England's response to the DFG Consultation Paper can be downloaded, in pdf, format here
- Briefing paper on DFG proposals
Care & Repair England's briefing on the proposed changes to Disabled facilities Grants can be downloaded, in pdf, format here
- Consultation on the future of Disabled facilities Grants published
The Government has published a new consultation document on future changes to Disabled facilities Grants. The Department for Communities and Local Government press release can be viewed here. The consultation document 'Disabled Facilities Grant Programme: The Government’s proposals to improve programme delivery' can be downloaded in pdf format here
[January 2007]
- Local Authority Disabled Facilities Grant allocations for 2007/08
Disababled Facilities Grant allocations for each local authority for the next financial year have now been anounced and can be viewed here
[January 2007]
- Organising day to day home maintenance or adaptations to your home can be a nightmare.
Care & Repair England's 20th anniversary - Press Release
[December 06]
- News & Policy Update Winter 2006
The Winter 2006 News and Policy Update is now available here giving a summary of key developments in the housing and related health and social care sectors which impact on older and disabled people.
[December 06]
- Looking Back, Looking Forward: 20 Years of Care & Repair England 1986 - 2006
Care & Repair England's latest annual review, Looking Back, Looking Forward: 20 Years of Care & Repair England 1986 - 2006, is now available here
[November 2006]
- News & Policy Update Autumn 2006
The Autumn 2006 News and Policy Update is now available here giving a summary of key developments in the housing and related health and social care sectors which impact on older and disabled people.
[October 06]
- Anne Gleeson
Anne Gleeson, one of the leading pioneers of home improvement agencies, has died.
Anne was an inspiration to so many people in the Care & Repair field, leading the way on ground breaking initiatives when she was Director of Bristol Care & Repair and then as a Trustee of Care & Repair England. The Move On / Housing Options project and the innovative Healthy Homes work are just two of the important developments that she was responsible for creating in Bristol that have since been taken up nationally.
Her impact on the lives of older people was enormous. She will be sadly missed by everyone who knew her.
Click here for tribute
[July 2006]
- News & Policy Update Spring 2006
The Spring 2006 News and Policy Update is now available here giving a summary of key developments in the housing and related health and social care sectors which impact on older and disabled people.
[April 06]
- Consultation Responses
Care & Repair England has responded to Government Consultation Papers on:
[April 06]
- Small Things Matter: The Key Role of Handyperson Services
This report examines the current provision of small repairs and minor adaptations services being provided by the voluntary and community sector in England today.
It aims to enable service planners, commissioners and providers to better understand:
- the main driving forces and strategic considerations in relation to provision of handyperson services
- the range of services currently in operation and main characteristics
- key elements to consider when planning, commissioning and delivering handyperson services
Copies are available from Care & Repair England or downloadable in pdf format on the Handyperson Services web pages.
[March O6]
- Safer Homes, Healthier Lives
The Safer Homes, Healthier Lives Self Training Toolkit is designed to explain the implications of the introduction of the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) and provide those who are using HHSRS with the opportunity to practice its wider application.
The Toolkit, commissed by the Improvement and Development Agency (IDeA) can be downloaded from the Healthy Homes, Healthier Lives web pages.
[March 06]
- In Our Own Homes
This Conference, on Wednesday 8th March 2006 in Coventry, will enable planners, commissioners and providers of services across housing, social care and health to take a fresh look at the housing aspirations of older adults with moderate learning difficulties. For more details see the events page
[January 2006]
- Uprating of the Test of Resources for Disabled Facilities Grants
The Test of Resources for Disabled facilities Grants will be uprated on 31st December 2005. Changes to the Housing Renewal Grant Regulations reflect the introduction of Pension Credit and the Civil Partnership Act. The means test no longer applies where an application for disbaled faciilities grant is made by the parent or guardian of a disabled child or young person on or after 31 December 2005. Statutory Instrument 2005 No. 3323
The Housing Renewal Grants (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2005
[December 05]
- News & Policy Update Winter 2005
The Winter 2005 News and Policy Update is now available here giving a summary of key developments in the housing and related health and social care sectors which impact on older and disabled people.
[December 05]
- Excluded Older People
Care & Repair England's response to the Social Inclusion Unit's consultaion paper Excluded Older People, can be downloaded, in pdf format, here. The full report is available on the ODPM website
[July 05]
- Independence, Well-being and Choice
Care & Repair England's response to the Department of Health's consultaion paper 'Independence, Well-being and Choice', can be downloaded, in pdf format, here.
[July 05]
- Opportunity Age
Care & Repair England's response to the Department of Work & Pensions consultaion paper can be downloaded, in pdf format, here. The full report (in 2 volumes) is available on the DWP website.
[July 05]
- Housing for an Ageing Population: An agenda for action
Care & Repair England has launched their new promotional brochure 'Housing for an Ageing Population: An agenda for action'.
Aimed at decision makers in national, regional and local government, this succinct brochure sets out some of the key implications of an ageing population for housing provision, highlighting practical steps that need to be taken now. Copies are available from Care & Repair England or downloadable in pdf format here
[June 05]
- News & Policy Update Summer 2005
The Summer 2005 News and Policy Update is now available here giving a summary of key developments in the housing and related health and social care sectors which impact on older and disabled people.
[June 05]
- Care & Repair England Director calls for action on housing to improve health
In a letter published in Community Care magazine (28th April-5th May, click here for full text) Sue Adams, Director of Care & Repair highlighted the importance of avoiding medicalising problems which are rooted in the state of people's physical environment.
The letter was responding to a case study published in the magazine's Practice Panel, 14th-21st April edition) in which an older widow had been admitted to hospital a number of times with pneumonia caused by inadequate heating and poor housing. It was pointed out that if only this person had been referred to her local home improvement agency many subsequent health problems could have been avoided.
[May 05]
- Government publishes its Older People's Strategy - "Opportunity Age"
'Opportunity Age - Meeting the challenges of ageing in the 21st century' has been published.
The full report (in 2 volumes) is available on the DWP website. The deadline for comments is the 28th July.
[March 2005]
- Department of Health Launch Long Awaited Green Paper on the Future of Adult Social Care
'Independence, Well-being and Choice - Our vision for the future of social care for adults in England' has been published by the Department of Health.
The full report is available on the DH website
[March 2005]
- Social Exclusion Unit publish report 'Excluded Older People'
This report is the first outcome from the consultation exercise on how older people are socially excluded and makes recommendations about future services for older people across all sectors. There is welcome reference to the importance of housing and the role of adaptations.
The report is available on the ODPM website
[March 2005]
- Tom Hoyes
Tom Hoyes, a leading campaigner for better lives for older people has died. Tom was a valued Trustee of Care & Repair England and has worked tirelessly to support our efforts to improve housing for older people. He will be greatly missed.
[March 2005]
- 'Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People'
Care & Repair England has produced a short summary paper on the implications for the future of Disabled Facilities Grants of the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit report 'Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People' Jan. 05. Download the briefing in pdf format here.
[March 2005]
- Minister launches Care & Repair England's latest report - Should I Stay or Should I Go?
Dr Stephen Ladyman MP, Minister for Community Care, has launched the findings of Care & Repair England's Should I Stay or Should I Go? initiative which has been piloting new housing options advice services for older people. The launch event took place at the House of Commons on 23rd February 05.
See the News Release and the following documents, (can be downloaded free of charge).
Summary Brochure, Evaluation Overview, Social Rented Sector Issues, BME Elders Summary, Rural Issues Summary, Sheffield Hallam University Evaluation Report
[February 2005]
- Care & Repair England has moved.
Our new address is The Renewal Trust Business Centre, 3 Hawksworth Street, Nottingham NG3 2EG. Tel/Fax: 0115 950-6500
[January 2005]
- The Winter 04/05 News and Policy Update
The Winter 04/05 News and Policy Update is now available here giving a summary of key developments in the housing and related health and social care sectors which impact on older and disabled people.
[November 2004]
- The future of Disabled Facilities Grants
The future of Disabled Facilities Grants is under review. Research has been commissioned and an independent Review Group established. The Director of Care & Repair England has been appointed to the Review Group and welcomes your suggestions for improvement to the system. The Group is due to present a report to the Minister in May 05.
[November 2004]
- Link-Age Consultation
Care & Repair England has published its response to the Department for Work and Pensions' Link-Age Consultation. Available in pdf format here.
[November 2004]
- The Healthy Homes Training Kit
The Healthy Homes Training Kit is being piloted in December and will be available in the New Year.
[November 2004]
- 'In Good Repair' and 'Staying in Your Home'
Care & Repair England and the Elders Council of Newcastle upon Tyne have
launched their joint guides to housing help with repairs and adaptations,
'In Good Repair' and 'Staying in Your Home' (both of which can be downloaded
from this website - see Self Help Guide) See News Release 1st July 04 here.
[June 2004]
- Now You See Me, Now You Don't
- New report on including older people in regeneration
Care & Repair England, in partnership with Age Concern England, Better Government for Older People and the Beth Johnson Foundation, have published a new report on the issue of Older People in Regneration. The report updates understanding of how older people benefit from and are involved in regeneration and makes recommendations for the future.
The report can be viewed in pdf format here
[May 2004]
- Care & Repair England publish new Self Help Guide
In Good Repair a guide to assist older and disabled people to organise home repairs and adaptations, has just been published.
[March 2004] Details are available here.
- Staying In Your Own Home
This is a local self help guide which has been written by the Readers Group of the Elders Council of Newcastle upon Tyne. It provides a very helpful model which could be adapted by other local groups and can be downloaded here in pdf format. Local Newcastle upon Tyne residents can obtain copies of the guide from Better Life in Later Life, Tel: 0191 233 0200 email: better-life@btconnect.com
[March 2004]
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