LINks - this week's Housing LIN bulletin (9 July 2015)
Welcome to LINks, the weekly e-bulletin from the Housing LIN (Learning and Improvement Network) where we put a selection of latest information, resources and events under the spotlight. In this week's issue, we would like to draw your attention to the following:
New Housing LIN Blog - Serving up a united voice to get ahead in the funding game
On the eve of this week's emergency budget, with oblique references to tennis, Jeremy Porteus (Housing LIN) and John Galvin (EAC), called on government to stimulate the housing market for older people pitch by investing £1billion in advice, adaptations and accessible housing to help build more effective partnerships with business to improve the range of housing choices for people in later life.
Download at: http://www.housinglin.org.uk/Topics/type/resource/?coid=9635
New Housing LIN Blog - Investing in your local housing association?
Written by David Bogle, Chief Executive, Hightown Housing Association, the blog sets out the organisation's approach to securing a £27m retail charity bond and questions whether there is scope for many retired people, living off savings that are currently earning very low rates of interest, to invest in their local housing associations and support the development of a range of projects, including supported or retirement housing.
Download at: http://www.housinglin.org.uk/Topics/type/resource/?coid=9627
New Housing LIN Blog - Under-occupancy: will it explode?
Written by Matthew Fox, a former housing association Chief Executive challenges the mainstream social landlords whether a carrot or stick would help tackle under-occupying older residents in mainstream housing.
Read at: http://www.housinglin.org.uk/Topics/type/resource/?coid=9637
Government's 2015 Summer Budget - who benefits?
The Chancellor, George Osborne, has announced the Budget for 2015/16. There was nothing directly included to stimulate the housing with care market; however, older homeowners may be pleased to learn that the threshold for inheritance tax in 2020/21 will be raised to £1 million and the rent a room relief has been raised to £7,500 per annum - a possible boost for our fledgling homeshare movement? But social housing tenants with household incomes of £40,000 and above in London, and £30,000 and above in the rest of England, will be required to "Pay to Stay", by paying a market or near market rent for their accommodation. An incentive to Right to Buy?
The government has also announced further housing benefit changes and a reduction in rents paid by tenants in social housing in England by 1% a year for 4 years from 2016. Commentators have expressed concern about these measures suggesting that this could impact on a housing associations' viability and the ability to secure finance to develop new homes to meet housing growth targets.
And finally, the NHS may appear to be a beneficiary. On the back of the NHS 5 Year Forward View, the budget commits to increase NHS funding in England by £10 billion in real terms a year by 2020/21.
For more on the Summer Budget, visit: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-treasury
Law Commission Consultation - Deprivation of Liberty: What does this mean for housing?
This week saw the publication of the Law Commission's proposals on what should replace current arrangements for authorising a deprivation of liberty across a range of settings including housing for those who do not have the mental capacity to consent. This marks the start of a four-month consultation period. It is really important that the housing sector examines the Commission's proposals, considers the implications for their occupants and organisations, and responds to the consultation.
Read the proposal at: http://www.lawcom.gov.uk/project/mental-capacity-and-deprivation-of-liberty/#related
New Housing LIN Blog - Ready to respond? Law commission proposals on replacement for deprivation of liberty safeguards
To coincide with the Law Commission's proposals, Sue Garwood (Housing LIN Dementia and safeguarding lead) has written a blog for us which suggests some criteria for assessing the proposals.
Read at: http://www.housinglin.org.uk/Topics/type/resource/?coid=9634&msg=0
For more information on the issue of deprivation of liberty in housing settings, go to: www.housinglin.org.uk/Topics/browse/HousingandDementia/Legislation/DoL
Innovations in Dementia
ID have produced an easy-to-follow checklist an how to undertake an access audit to make buildings easier for people with dementia. It includes ways in which to assess how someone with dementia may approach a building, move around inside, use of signs, lighting, flooring, seating areas, toilets and where to get further advice and guidance from.
Access at: www.housinglin.org.uk/Topics/browse/HousingandDementia/Design/?&msg=0&parent=5091&child=9628
Habinteg briefing - Disabled Facilities Grants 2015
This briefing explains the important changes taking place to Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) funding, now administered locally through the Better Care Fund. DFG funding is available from local authorities to support independent living by providing adaptations which make homes more accessible and tailored to the specific needs of individual disabled people. It presents evidence on the inaccessible nature of much of the existing housing stock, explains why housing adaptations are so often needed and argues for the vital importance of continued DFG funding.
Care and Repair Cameos
Care & Repair England have published a set of new 'cameos' describing inspiring local examples of cutting edge delivery of home adaptations that are ahead of the curve on finding new and better ways to offer home adaptations advice, practical help and financial assistance, including innovations in use of Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG). These new 'cameos' describe activities in an initial six localities - West of England, Middlesbrough, Suffolk, Sunderland, Walsall and Knowsley.
View at: https://homeadaptationsconsortium.wordpress.com/good-practice
Creating a better care system
A recent report from the LGA, proposes the establishment of a £1.3 billion a year transformation fund until 2019/20 to develop a new health and social care system. Supported by a pooled health and social care budget, devolved powers for health, and reformed incentives, the fund should focus on keeping people independent and preventing complex and long-term conditions. It recognizes that the lack of suitable housing as one of a number of measures that drives dependency and recommends better coordination with health and social care systems to improve outcomes.
Download at: www.housinglin.org.uk/Topics/browse/HousingExtraCare/ExtraCareProvision/SupportServices/?&msg=0&parent=990&child=9621
Telecare LIN weekly update
This week's news headlines from the Telecare LIN can be downloaded in two formats (doc; pdf) at:
- Telecare LIN News Headlines: 9 July 2015 (doc - 100Kb) (opens new window)
- Telecare LIN News Headlines: 9 July 2015 (pdf - 469Kb) (opens new window)
Events supported by the Housing LIN
Law Commission Consultation - Deprivation of Liberty: What Does This Mean for Housing?
To assist housing providers, the Housing LIN, Sitra, National Housing Federation and Arco have joined together to arrange two events at which the Law Commission will outline their proposals and give providers an opportunity to share their views. The first is in London on Monday 21st September and the second in Manchester on 22nd September.
More details at: http://www.housinglin.org.uk/Events/ForthcomingEvents/HousingEventDetail/?eventID=842
Falling Through the Gaps: Connecting Research, Policy and Practice in the Fields of Ageing, Falls Prevention and Housing Interventions
This free London event from Care & Repair England and British Society of Gerontologists on 15 July 2015 may be of interest to researchers, planners, commissioners, providers & activists with an interest in housing, ageing & falls.
Apply at: info@careandrepair-england.org.uk
The Older People in the Media Awards 2015 open for nominations
These awards are a celebration of the best coverage of older people's issues in all media, with the aim of shining a light on coverage that has either positively portrayed older people, or sensitively highlighted the issues they face. The categories include, 'Everyday ageism hero@ - best marketing campaign or initiative that promotes ageing in a positive light and best older person's champion in the media.
Nominations need to be made by Friday 28 August 2015 at 6pm at: www.gransnet.com/campaigns/older-people-media-awards-2015
Stay networked with the Housing LIN for latest news, views and resources on housing with care matters.