Our work in the housing field has involved the development of homelessness strategies, as well as work focused on the housing needs and solutions of older people and vulnerable groups.
The new CLG national Older People’s Housing Strategy puts older people at the heart of the mainstream housing agenda, in recognition that they are the fastest growing population group in the housing market. The strategy is likely to result in specific housing market assessments for older people, and we have already been undertaking this work for a number of years with different local authorities who have already recognised the significance of this demographic change on housing markets. We also undertake housing needs studies for all vulnerable groups covered by Supporting People.
Our housing strategy work addresses the interface between mainstream housing and specialist housing such as sheltered or supported housing, and the need to develop a stronger set of housing related services for vulnerable people. Our strategy and service review work covers housing advice and housing options services, the role and effectiveness of choice based lettings schemes for vulnerable groups, adaptations and handyperson services, funding repairs and adaptations through sources such as Disabled Facilities Grants and equity release products, and the interface between community alarm and other call centre or advice line services such as emergency repairs.
We are increasingly working with planners to address the interface between housing need and market assessments and the development of a more proactive approach to planning guidance and work with developers that addresses the needs of vulnerable groups as mainstream. The new CLG older people’s housing strategy is likely to speed up the change work required in this area.
As well as local authorities we undertake a range of commissions for ALMOs and registered social landlords/housing associations, especially in relation to services for older people, vulnerable adults and socially excluded people, particularly around service re-design and business planning.
We are also working with a growing number of private sector housing or care clients who wish to get into the specialist older people’s housing market, in particular extra care and retirement villages. We work with providers on market and needs assessment, site appraisal, support for planning submissions, the development of service and funding models, and partnering arrangements.