Agenda item

This report summarises the Disabled People’s Housing Strategy and the approach for meeting housing needs of disabled people through provision of housing services shaped and influenced by, and for, disabled people.

A report on the draft Disabled People’s Housing Strategy was presented by Mr Lubab, continuing the earlier discussion around housing needs in the context of health and social care.  The Administration’s manifesto commitment identified the need for accessible housing as identified in the Disabled People’s Strategy, addressing the needs of disabled people in the Borough. Of the four key themes which linked with Disabled Peoples Commission (DPC) report, co-production was key. This commitment recognised the need to have a conversation and to jointly develop solutions for re-engagement.  One of the initiatives was to look at equipment (aids and adaptations) and aim for this to be co-produced.  There were inherent challenges to achieving this, to identify what services were out there and improve the information about them.  This needed to be communicated through accessible channels, to better facilitate disabled people’s access to those services.  

LBHF was the largest landlord in the Borough and was working to ensure that staff were developed and trained to meet the need of residents with non-visible disabilities. They would work with the Disabled Facilities Group (DFG, chaired by Jane Wilmott) to better understand what housing stock was available and the specifics of any adaptations made on individual units categorised.  This would enable the Council to clearly communicate with providers, with the aim of increasing suitable, accessible provision.  The recently approved Emlyn Gardens Scheme included 8 units for people with learning disabilities. Challenging silo working was one of the biggest barriers to progressing this. 

Councillor Caleb-Landy outlined his interest in mapping need, given that learning disabilities were hidden, and the critical role of having suitable housing during transitional stages, where people were most likely to fall into crises.  Mr Lubab said that a preventative, long term plan was to work with families from an earlier point, accepting that there will be changes.  They were working closely with Adult Social Care and the allocations team and that the Disabled People’s Strategy strengthened this process.  The newly formed Preparing for Adulthood (PfA) transitions service illustrated one way of breaking down barriers, challenging silo working.  By contrast, it was noted that the equipment service (aids and adaptations) was unresponsive with residents not being listened to. Councillor Coleman confirmed that a resident’s satisfaction survey on this would be undertaken and resident’s views being consulted on at a later meeting of this Committee.

Victoria Brignell pointed out that there had been no further update to the accessible housing register since 2013 and asked when this would be undertaken.  Mr Lubab responded that the Mayor of London had recommended varying target levels in different London boroughs and that this would now be a fundamental task for housing officers.  The Mayor of London had recommended that a minimum of 10% (of developments over 10 units) must be accessible. To identify and categorise accessible housing, with lifts or step-free would become an integral part of a routine housing officer assessment. 

In terms of wheelchair access accommodation, there was a commitment to increase disabled access homes by 800. Any development exceeding 10 units would be required to have 10% of its units as accessible.  Westfield, for example, (currently in the first phase of development) would be required to have 10% of its units as wheelchair accessible.  Another key concern (although not in the Borough) was adaptations being removed from adapted units following refurbishment, rather than the unit being suitably reallocated.

Mr Lubab confirmed that it would be possible to put details about dates and information about the update to the accessible housing register online.  The challenges to progressing this were clear; housing officers would need to listen to people with disabilities to enable them to get the facilities needed. Early access would shape future service provision and this would have to be built up, with housing officers working closely with housing associations.

Julian Hillman (Chair of Trustees H&F Mencap) commented that the learning disabled will need to be helped and supported by carers and that this would a further consideration, given that this was one of the most disadvantaged groups in the borough. Mr Lubab responded that he would be happy to work with Mencap to crystallise and strengthen this point in the strategy.

Councillor Richardson commented that a Parents Active member had organised for her son to live with a carer using care package payments, Personal Independence Payments (PIP) and that this illustrated how well parents shared resources by grouping together.  It was confirmed that the strategy would be a “living” document, and would evolve, subject to further review. 

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.