Issue - items at meetings - Sheltered Housing - Service Offer

Report of the Executive Director Environment, Development & Housing (copy attached).

(1)      That the service offer is agreed.

(2)      That the name of the service be changed from ‘Sheltered housing’ to ‘Seniors Housing – Independent and Community Living’.

75.1    The Committee considered the report of the Executive Director Environment, Development and Housing which explained that following a review of the sheltered housing service conducted in collaboration with the Chartered Institute of Housing in 2013, recommendations were being made to better define the aims and purposes of the sheltered housing service by having a clear service offer for residents. Furthermore, a name change was being proposed to reflect the new offer. The report was presented by the Older Peoples Housing Manager.

75.2    Councillor Meadows expressed some doubt about the name change and said she would have preferred the name ‘Senior Citizens Housing’.  The Chair stressed that there had been a long discussion about the name change which had been agreed by the Senior Housing Action Group.

75.3    Councillor Barnett mentioned that there were a number of empty properties in senior blocks.  She asked if the age group of those entitled to live in the blocks would be lowered.  Councillor Barnett stressed that many people under 60 required sheltered homes.  She asked if councillors in individual wards could be told of empty properties in blocks so they could work with the community to help move people into them. 

75.4    The Older Peoples Housing Manager agreed that there was an issue regarding the letting of sheltered housing.  The first project the Senior Housing Action Group asked officers to compete was to look at this issue. The Older Peoples Housing Manager stated that officers would like to work more closely with ward councillors and welcomed Councillor Barnett’s suggestion. 

75.5    The Head of Tenancy Services reported that 20 sheltered flats were empty across the City as of the 2^nd February 2015.  Studio flats were particularly hard to let.  As a result, there was a project to convert them to one bedroom flats.  Meanwhile, housing officers were having conversations with Adult Social Care regarding this issue.  Adult Social Care was identifying suitable people.  This information was reported in Homemove magazine.  The Head of Tenancy Services stated that she would ensure Councillor Barnett received the link to the online magazine.  Councillors could always contact officers if they were aware of someone in need of sheltered housing.

75.6    Councillor Barnett mentioned that there were homeless people in their late 50s and 60s living in hostels that would be grateful for a flat. 

75.7    The Chair stressed that 20 properties out of 800 were empty.  Some were hard to let flats.  Work was being carried out at Evelyn Court and Sanders House to convert studios into one bedroom flats.  He was pleased to hear the work being carried out with Adult Social Care.  The Chair mentioned that there was a problem with people needing a great deal of support being moved into mainstream housing projects.  This was a complex issue.  He agreed that there was a need to talk to local councillors.  

75.8    The Older Peoples Housing Manager stated that he would ensure that local councillors were kept informed.  Information was reported in Homemove and there would be a Hard to let Sheltered Scheme Open Day at Laburnham Grove. 

75.9    Councillor Mears mentioned that there were vulnerable people in sheltered housing.  Councillors had been told that they would have a support package.  It appeared this was not the case.  She stressed that this was causing a cost to the HRA while other directorates were saving money.

75.10  Councillor Mears referred to paragraph 3.4 relating to the financial pressure on health and social care services at a time of increasing demand and the savings required by the council.  She stressed that there was a need to proactively deliver housing.

75.11  Councillor Mears referred to paragraph 5.3 regarding the pilot to convert studio flats into one bedroom flats.  She stressed the need to be flexible. Some properties might need two bedrooms to accommodate a carer.  Meanwhile, there were low rise homes with no lift.  If lifts were fitted people could stay in their homes.  There needed to be a mix of different types of properties.

75.12  RESOLVED - (1)     That the service offer is agreed.

(2)      That the name of the service be changed from ‘Sheltered housing’ to ‘Seniors Housing – Independent and Community Living’.