Alternative options to using a DFG

1. Alternative options to using a DFG Housing Options Using the London Accessible Housing Register Being Creative!

2. NEWHAM HOME IMPROVEMENT AGENCY • 4 OT – recommendations for specific adaptations in all tenures • 6 surveyors – specification, contract and overseeing works • 3 caseworkers – help with DFG application, income maximisation, case work • Admin team – • Handy Van Service

3. Tenures • DFGs used for • Owner occupiers • most RSL tenants • Privately Rented properties with secure tenancy and landlords permission. • How DFGs are used in your borough, and whether you are involved in council adapts may determine which bits of this information you can use!

4. Alternative options to using a DFG Housing Options

5. Adaptation • Is it reasonable £££ • Feasible • Will all needs be met • Is it a good property to adapt?

6. Waiting lists • RSLs tenants can usually go on their own RSLs waiting list and also apply to their local council. • Applications can be made to any council. Many RSLs have closed lists. Other councils are unlikely to give any priority, but may if there is a local connection. Different areas have less pressure on waiting lists.

7. Waiting Lists • Get an idea of the likely waiting time and make long and short term plans • Advise service user what they can do to move more quickly • Minimise restrictions • Be open to area • type of property • not have arrears.

8. Waiting Lists

9. RSL (and council) tenants Explore with the landlord:- • Mutual exchange ( more difficult if adaptations are needed) • Under occupation schemes • Schemes such as Seaside and Country/fresh Start etc • Council Housing Register waiting list • First Stop • Sheltered and Extra Care • there may be an ‘Adapted Housing Transfer Scheme’

10. Under occupation schemes £££

11. For any of these options it is important to understand the persons exact needs • Assessment by RSL (or council) of health and disability needs of person, to make recommendations for type of housing. • OT Re-housing reports are generally the most useful information for this assessment. • Know contacts in RSL (or council) to ensure appropriate priority and recommendations are correct. If not challenge!

12. We want to avoid this! • Almost 70% of housing association wheelchair accessible homes were let to households with no wheelchair user • Only around 40% of lettings to wheelchair users were for wheelchair accessible homes

13. Exact attributes of the proposed property Accessible Housing Register Information about adaptations including • level access shower • through floor lift • ceiling track hoist • Stair lift.

14. Alternative options to using a DFG The London Accessible Housing Register

15. London Accessible Housing Register

16. What is the Accessible Housing Register? • A component of Choice Based Lettings (CBL) • Framework for collecting access information • Access information included on property adverts when void • Disabled housing register applicants are able to view relevant information on an inclusive CBL system

17. Choice Based Lettings • Social housing properties are advertised on websites and in magazines • Housing applicants can view all of the available properties and bid for those of interest • The successful bidder is the person with the highest priority who has waited longest (and is a wheelchair user for wheelchair standard properties).

18. Collecting AHR info • Detailed form with 23 sections – door clear opening widths, hall widths info re steps and stairs, bathroom and toilet dimensions etc. • Can use digi pen. • Category calculated by computer. • Can be used with Choice Homes in automated system, or asset management systems or suitable data base.

19. Advantages to Categorising Property • Housing Register applicants can make informed bids • Identify easily adaptable properties • Identify un-adaptable properties • Know number and size of A and B properties

20. A • Wheelchair accessible throughout - designed to meet the latest wheelchair accessible housing design standards offering extra space and full access to all rooms and facilities.

21. B • Wheelchair accessible essential rooms - designed to older wheelchair standards or significantly adapted to provide extra space and wheelchair access to at least the entrance level of the property.Provides access to essential facilities (bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and living room).

22. Lifetime homes standard - designed to meet the space standards of Lifetime Homes. Main features include a step-free approach/entrance, wider doorways and downstairs WC.

23. D • Easy Access - main features include a level approach to the entrance, wider doorways and more space than in general needs housing. It may already have adaptations that provide level access e.g. stairlift/through floor lift and level access shower.

24. E • Step free - general needs housing with a step-free approach/entrance to the property

25. E+ • Minimal steps - has up to 4 steps to access the front door.

26. F • General needs - has more than 4 steps or ramp access that is steeper than 1:12 gradient.

27. G • Unassessed - property has not yet had a survey of its accessibility

28. AHR Categories Property People A – Wheelchair standard A/B B – Wheelchair standard C – Lifetime Homes C/D D – Easy access E - Level access E E+ - up to 4 steps E+ F – General Needs Housing G – Un-assessed

29. Encourage RSLs (and councils) to use AHR • Savings to their adaptations budget and/or the DFG budget • Reduced void turn around time and officer time • Reduced legal challenges

30. Alternative options to using a DFG Being Creative

31. Considerations for Reducing Need for DFG budget • Policy /Procedure about what is reasonable to adapt – cost and type of property. • Work with housing – input into any allocations policy changes. • Know the allocations policy – what levels of medical priority do they have and what in reality does this mean in terms of waiting time. • Has your client applied for re-housing (consider arrears and RTB and who is currently the landlord) how long have they been on the list, and are they bidding. • Housing policy – that wheelchair standard units are allocated to wheelchair uses?

32. Spend to Save • Get involved in New build Schemes – have input into planning process and comment on plans. • Surveyors and housing OTs are ideally placed to do this. • Being involved from an early stage can result in accessible property being built that meets the vast majority of wheelchair users needs. • Examples of this not happening:- wheelchair standard flats with bath not showers. Wheelchair standard units with out through floor lifts. Heavy communal doors. • Push for two double bedrooms and some three double bedrooms.

33. Creative use of DFG/Staffing This is not a ring fenced budget. Could it be used • To pay removal costs – linked to DFG eligibility And staff budgets to cover • staff to do viewings to help people move to suitable properties and decline unsuitable ones • Look at New Build plans

34. Any questions