To receive an updated report on the delivery of Major Adaptations using the Disabled Facilities Grant.

The Committee received a report on the significant increase in demand for the delivery of major adaptations to homes using the Disabled Facilities Grant. The Private Sector Housing Manager reported that at current referral levels, there would be a shortfall on the assessed budget requirement for 2009/10 of £1,016k.

She went on to say that the delivery of major adaptations to the home involved two distinct stages. The first was an assessment by an Occupational Therapist (OT) within the person’s home. This was then referred to the Private Sector Housing team to deliver the adaptation, using a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG).  There were scheduled rates for the most common works that were required; the most commonly requested was for level access showers, for which the Council had twenty three contractors who had shown an interest in undertaking the work. 

A specific Housing Occupational Therapist post had been provided in 2006, located within Private Sector Housing. The post was currently vacant.  Part of the remit of the post had included the development of an Accessible Properties Register with the aim of ensuring that adapted properties could be re-used to maximum effect. Initial work had been undertaken to look at a consistent classification of adaptations to properties particularly in the social-rented sector, and how they could be allocated through the Choice-Based Lettings system.

In the ensuing discussion the following points were raised:

·         That the level access showers, the most common adaptation requested, cost between £2k and £7k.  The price had risen over a period of years for a variety of reasons.  It was noted that it was intended that the new priced schedule scheme would reduce the cost of installation.  A new software system would allow the team to provide real-time prices for units, and would provide the team with the names of the eight contractors offering the best prices for the work for individual cases. 

·         That the needs of the individual were assessed by an Occupational Therapist (OT), and alternative options were offered.  It was important that an OT was in place to be able to assess the needs of individuals on the waiting list for housing.  The Director, Integrated Commissioning added that the wider issue of Occupational Therapists within the PCT, Social Care and Housing would be considered shortly.

·         In reply to a question from a Member, the Private Sector Housing Manager said that the adaptations waiting list system, whereby applicant’s names were taken from the waiting list on a strict ‘high priority score first’ basis had been instigated last summer. Whilst it was a transparent system, it should be considered that any waiting system was unlawful; the Council was utilising the system to manage present circumstances until the deficit could be addressed.

·         In reply to a question from a Member regarding people who had brought their own homes and were now unable to move to more suitable accommodation, she went on to say that there were options for helping people in these circumstances.  The Disabled Facilities Grant did have a relocation element, and there was also the option of a separate relocation grant with a maximum award of £10k.

·         In reply to a query about the increase in numbers on the waiting list, the Head of Strategic Housing Services reported that as the pressures on the service had been exposed, it was intended that there should be additional capital available for 2010/11, and that action was being taken to secure these funds.

RESOLVED: That

a)            the statutory requirement to deliver Disabled Facilities Grants across all tenures should be noted;

b)           Note the current shortfall in the Disabled Facilities Grant budget to address the emerging needs should be noted.

c)            Note the measures implemented to manage the waiting list and maximise the available budget.

and;

d)           Consideration be given to reappointing an Occupational Therapist for the Housing Service through the medium of all the Organisations involved in the provision of the services concerned.