The Head of Planning, Sustainable Development and Regulatory Services has submitted a report which seeks approval from the City Executive Board to implement the proposed changes to the Housing Assistance and Disabled Adaptation Policy.

Recommendation: That the City Executive Board resolves to:

1.         Approve the draft Housing Assistance and Disabled Adaptation Policy.

The Head of Planning, Sustainable Development and Regulatory Services has submitted a report which seeks approval from the City Executive Board to implement the proposed changes to the Housing Assistance and Disabled Adaptation Policy.

Cllr Rowley, Board Member for Housing, introduced the report by explaining that its purpose was to expand the existing policy and increase the number of residents able to remain in their homes and to facilitate speedier hospital discharges than would otherwise be the case.  Among other things the policy would increase the maximum Adapted Homes Grant to £8,000.

The Chair noted the importance of ensuring that the changes were well communicated and sight should not be lost of the importance of paper based communications in Community Centres, doctors’ surgeries etc.

The City Executive Board resolved to:

1.       Approve the draft Housing Assistance and Disabled Adaptation Policy.

Lead Member: Councillor Mike Rowley, Board Member for Housing.

The Head of Planning, Sustainable Development and Regulatory Services has submitted a reportwhich seeks approval to consult on proposed changes to the Housing Assistance and Disabled Adaptation Policy.

Recommendation: That the City Executive Board resolves to:

Approve the draft Housing Assistance and Disabled Adaptation Policy for a City wide consultation.

The Head of Planning, Sustainable Development and Regulatory Services submitted a reportwhich sought  approval to consult on proposed changes to the Housing Assistance and Disabled Adaptation Policy.

Councillor Mike Rowley, Board Member for Housing spoke to the report and was pleased to report the increase in the Disability Facilities Grant (a subset of the Better Care Fund). The proposed amendments to the policy would make a significant contribution to helping residents avoid unnecessary hospital admissions and facilitate speedier discharge from hospital than would otherwise be the case.

The City Executive Board resolved to:

Approve the draft Housing Assistance and Disabled Adaptation Policy for a City wide consultation.

The Board Member for Housing introduced the report and said that a very rare thing was happening - the government was increasing a funding stream.  This was giving the Council flexibility to top up Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG), taking the maximum DFG to £40k, introduce discretionary Adapted Home Grants of up to £10k and introduce discretionary Safe and Secure grants of up to £1k.  These would help to ensure that people were able to return home from hospital sooner, reducing bed blocking, and to help prevent falls.

The Home Improvement Agency Team Manager added that the funding was channelled through the Better Care Fund and was increasing from £500k in 2012 to £1m in 2020.  Government had signalled that the intention was to fund further increases into the future.  The Council’s Policy was being refreshed to better reflect the aims of the Better Care Fund.

In discussion and in answer to questions the Panel noted that:

·         Many elderly people were frightened to spend their savings on adaptations; hence the introduction of non-means tested funding.

·         The Council was actively promoting the grants to various groups and organisations across the city and had produced a number of leaflets to be placed in GP surgeries, pharmacies, community settings etc.

·         Support is provided to applicants by a case worker.

·         Flexible Home Improvement Loans are very popular and the full amount is always allocated.

·         Direct Services provide can undertake works competitively but the trading company business plan assumes no growth in this area.