East of England Learning Set October 5th
Hi All
Since my last e-mail we have had two very useful network meetings
The Thames Gateway South Essex Planning and Health summit recognised the vital role housing had to play in support of health and wellbeing. It was a good opportunity to engage with planning colleagues and help understand the role that housing can play. The need to link to local plans and supply supporting evidence from recognised reputable sources to make the case to planners was emphasised. The links below all assist to make the case for housing for older people
HAPPI
http://www.housinglin.org.uk/Topics/browse/Design_building/HAPPI/
RIBA
BRE
http://www.bre.co.uk/filelibrary/Briefing%20papers/86749-BRE_briefing-paper-PHE-England-A4-v3.pdf
?The ADASS health Integration network meeting was fully supportive of an increased housing role and ?two of the presentations from Sarah Pickup from the LGA and Patrick Vernon from NHF highlighted to impact housing can make to the health agenda.
http://www.eelga.gov.uk/events/health-integration-series-seminar-6/
The new pilot in West Suffolk was also discussed as a potential innovative model of care.
http://eelga.gov.uk/showcase/redesigning-health-and-social-care
Patrick Vernon highlighted the new NHF publications which make the economic case for the integration of housing into health and social care. Well worth noting a view of the key facts for future discussions.
http://www.kingsfund.org.uk/publications/economics-housing-health
All the above demonstrates the importance attached to older people's housing but also confirms the limited opportunity to progress with schemes and services. I have been convinced for a while that the market will split into distinct sectors rather than extra offering a balanced community. A high care solution offering 24/7 care on site - one may suggest that this is a residential care setting in another name. Secondly a preventative housing solution which is attractive to social renting sector tenants to move. These homes will be more expensive than standard affordable homes but will allow three bedroom homes to be released for families.
So my two points to debate are
- should these new specialist homes for older people be supported through the increased DFG funding rather than DFG grant updating existing large family homes? If so how do we provide the correct incentive for older people to move to these new homes?
- is there sufficient need for three bedroom homes for families on the housing register to focus attention and funding on this sector when there is so much demand for one and two bed roomed properties?
Hope to hear from you soon.
Dan