A cash boost for innovation in Extra Care Housing

Speaking at Laing & Buisson's annual extra care housing conference on 24 February 2010, Phil Hope MP, the Care Services Minister, announced that every council with adult social care responsibility will get a slice of a £3.5m fund to support further innovation in Extra Care Housing.

He stated, "considerable progress has been made to commission and develop Extra Care Housing in recent years, but the market is still relatively 'embryonic' and we need to advance changes to meet the housing choices that older people are beginning to demand".

He went on to say that he wants councils and their partners to develop more integrated, innovative and sustainable solutions to meet the housing needs and aspirations of older people. He urged councils to "act now and act decisively" to put in place new and refreshed local housing strategies that promote dignity, respect and choice.

In announcing an allocation of around £20,000 to each council with adult social care responsibility, the DH will expect councils to prepare an extra care housing strategy for their area, pinpointing how they will seek to transform the housing with care provision for older people in their areas.

Full details of the allocation arrangements are expected to be published by the DH next month. Keep an eye on the Housing LIN website for further news.