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Accessible social housing in Wales: a review of systems for assessment, recording and matching

Accessible social housing in Wales: a review of systems for assessment, recording and matching. Dr Jacqueline Aneen Campbell, Shelter Cymru Rhyan Berrigan, Disability Wales. Context. Lack of suitable adapted and accessible properties Social housing often ‘falling short’

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Accessible social housing in Wales: a review of systems for assessment, recording and matching

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  1. Accessible social housing in Wales: a review of systems for assessment, recording and matching Dr Jacqueline Aneen Campbell, Shelter Cymru Rhyan Berrigan, Disability Wales

  2. Context • Lack of suitable adapted and accessible properties • Social housing often ‘falling short’ • Suitable housing needed for disabled people to have independence, choice and control

  3. Accessible Housing Registers (AHR) • An AHR is a register that: • ·        identifies disabled people in need of accessible homes; • ·        identifies accessible properties, their location and characteristics; and • ·        enables effective matching of people and suitable homes.

  4. Methods • The review was undertaken between July 2012 and December 2012 • Primary data collection with stakeholders and service users • Questionnaires, interviews, focus groups ( social landlords and wider stakeholders), document analysis and telephone calls • Peer Researchers

  5. Key findings (1) • All local authorities have a matching process • Fourteen local authorities told us that there is an AHR in the local authority area • Variation – between AHRs and matching systems

  6. Key findings (2) • Survey responses • Variation in interpretation • Incorporated into the Common Housing Register

  7. Key Findings (3) • Main rationale was to make best use of existing resources and being better able to match the housing needs of disabled people with available accommodation • Less than two fifths were influenced by Welsh Government policy • Backing and support across local authority boundaries using existing good practice. • Mandatory AHR?

  8. Kay Findings (4) • Benefits and impact: • ensuring that adapted properties are retained for the use of disabled people • ensuring that disabled people are being rehoused in sustainable tenancies • Ensure disabled people aren’t housed/left housed in unsuitable accommodation

  9. Key Findings (5) • AHR: • an effective system for identifying accessible/adapted/adaptable properties and ensuring they are available to those who need them • receive specialist training in matching people to their accessible home and feel more confident in their ability to do so • consider a range of holistic needs • more joint working between departments and organisations

  10. Key Findings (6) • The majority of frontline staff who do not use an Accessible Housing Register would like to do so in the future. • Service users would like to see all social landlords use an Accessible Housing Register

  11. Key findings (7) • Barriers: • restrictions in public sector spending and Housing Benefit reforms; the cost and expertise needed; lack of staff resource; limited housing stock; managing expectations; lack of leadership on the issue and changing service user needs.

  12. Key findings (8) • Facilitators: • commitment and buy-in from all partners; good record keeping and information sharing and strong partnership working.

  13. AHRs in the PRS • Strong support but barriers identified: landlord reluctance and security of tenure • BUT… some success already • Joint initiatives are needed

  14. Suggestions for next steps (1) • AHRs should be used • Good practice and specialism already in Wales • Cross organisation and boundary work • Link in with other social landlords • Specialism

  15. Suggestions for next steps (2) • Suggestions for social landlords: • Service user involvement and the social model of disability • Partnership working and effective signposting • Monitoring for an effective cost-benefit analysis

  16. Suggestions for next steps (3) • Welsh Government should: continue to encourage the use of Accessible Housing Registers and ensures their effective operation. Encouraging cross-boundary work will help to make best use of existing resources and promote consistency, efficiency and cost-effectiveness. This also includes encouraging strong leadership across the sector to support the development of new skills and understanding. • Support work in the PRS

  17. Contact details • Jacquelinec@sheltercymru.org.uk • Dr Jacqueline Aneen Campbell • Senior Research Officer • Shelter Cymru • 02920556060

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