To consider update on the proposed Housing for Older Persons Strategy
Minutes:
The Operations Manager (Managing Homes), assisted by the Specialist Support Services & Contracts Manager (Independent Living) introduced the Housing Older Persons Strategy (HOPS).
In terms of the rationale for the Strategy, the Specialist Support Services & Contracts Manager (Independent Living) advised that, of a population of 84,000, there were over 20,000 people in Stevenage aged over 55, with 36.53% of households containing at least one person aged 65 or over. In 2017, it was reported that 1,000+ over 65s had dementia, expected to increase by 24% by 2024. There were 8,550 unpaid carers in the town and, again in 2017, 5,638 over 65s were unable to manage one domestic task.
The Specialist Support Services & Contracts Manager (Independent Living) stressed that, if appropriate housing was provided, injuries such as broken hips or cold-related illnesses could be prevented. This in turn would save money on emergency services, operations, medicines, aftercare, rehabilitation and social care treatment.
The Board noted that the aim was to provide a 10 year Strategy for Older People’s Housing in Stevenage relating to people over 55; existing independent living/extra care schemes including adaptations and new provision; a range of tenures; links to Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) and its Extra Care Strategy; inform emerging care strategies and provision; and look at existing properties, void standards, care capacity and levels within extra care.
The Specialist Support Services & Contracts Manager (Independent Living) stated that the outcome would provide an understanding of current and future needs of older people; gaps in service provision and what future services were needed; capacity of specialist housing in Stevenage; future demand for specialist housing – rent/sale; and future support service needed for older persons housing delivered by SBC.
In reply to a question regarding the number of older people in Stevenage Sheltered Housing that required additional care, the Board was informed that, although this figure fluctuated, it was estimated that about a third required such care.
The Operations Manager (Managing Homes) advised that evidence gathering had been organised through a public survey; social media; desktop review of SBC and HCC data; reviewing National best practice and research; conversations with local groups; professional survey; and Stevenage Day. Statistics included:
· Council Homes comprised 11% (880) of Older Persons housing in Stevenage;
· 12% of Council homes with tenant(s) aged 55+ may be under-occupying by at least one bedroom; and
· 24% of housing register applicants were aged 55 and over.
The Operations Manager (Managing Homes) referred to the highlights of the professional and public surveys on the Strategy. In respect of the public survey, a high number of responses were received from those in the 45-54 and 70-75 age ranges; the majority of respondents were female; the top 3 health conditions were mobility, hearing loss and breathing problems; the reasons for people wanting to move to Stevenage were to be closer to family/return to where they grew up and the provision of new housing, better transport links and regeneration of the town. A significant majority of respondents would either prefer to remain in a property with the same number of bedrooms or reduce the number of bedrooms by one. In terms of tenure, 45% would prefer to rent a property from SBC.
The Board noted that the Public Survey responses had revealed that the top four aspects that respondents wished to see in a new scheme for older people would be access to shops, buses, leisure and greenspace; gardens; safe and secure homes; and location. In terms of support to help them move home, the top four responses were advice and information about housing options; physical help with the move; provision of handyperson services; and support to help find a new home. In respect of features of the scheme, the top four responses were car parking; shops, cafes, library, gym etc.; communal space, including outdoor; and individual gardens.
The Operations Manager (Managing Homes) commented that, at the first stakeholder event, the following four key areas were identified:
· Support, early intervention and incentives to move;
· Informing and educating residents, families and professionals;
· Multi-disciplinary working; and
· Mixed tenure developments.
The second stakeholder event explored the above areas further and some of the responses received from professionals were:
· Recognition that the client group had complex support needs and required an approach that differed from other client groups;
· A co-ordinated process between services dealing with different parts of the customer journey;
· The need to consult with customers when planning services and make information available to them; and
· If considering inter-generational living, the need to manage any difficulties that come in hand with differing lifestyles.
The Operations Manager (Managing Homes) explained that the next steps were to draft the Strategy document and formulate the action plan. The aim was to submit the Strategy for consideration by the Executive at its meeting on 9 October 2019, although there was the possibility that this might be delayed due to the amount of information that needed to be assimilated into the document.
A Member of the Board asked about any plans for increasing the provision of houses for life and where in the Borough that these could be built. The Operations Manager (Managing Homes) advised that officers would be working closely with HCC and the SBC Housing Development Team to identify suitable sites. However, it should be borne in mind that it would be difficult to build new units in every area of Stevenage and that the need would be to focus on what was realistically achievable.
In reply to a question regarding the care provision at Silkin Court, the Operations Manager (Managing Homes) explained that the contract of the current care provider ended in March 2020, and that HCC would be conducting a tender exercise for the new contract in advance of that time.
It was RESOLVED that the presentation on the Housing Older Persons Strategy be noted.