Going into Sheltered Housing

Great video by those who do and those who serve.

Housing Matters 25 October 2009

Big Failure over Fire Safety results in Tiny fine?
Inside Housing has a Crazy story about an utterly inadequate sentance given out for serious safety failures – “two residents escaped and another was rescued uninjured from flats in a three-storey building in the Morecambe area in March last year. Fire crews investigating the blaze found a fire alarm system was not working, fire doors were not self-closing or fitted with smoke seals, a fire exit door was not fitted with an appropriate lock and no FRA had been carried out under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005".

This block was owned by Lancaster Council who were fined just £3000 and “managed” by Adactus Housing Group who were only fined £2000 (plus costs). What sort of message or deterrence does such a tiny fine send out to Landlords about the importance of ensuring basic fire safety?

Easy Jet Council Sheltered set back
Roof reports here on another London Tory Council Barnet and its plans for an “Easy Jet” style service plan. Residents will be able to pay extra to jump the queue for services. It also reports that the Council’s plans to get rid of residential wardens in its sheltered blocks have now been put on hold due to a pending judicial review that the Council failed to properly assess the impact of such cuts on disabled and elderly residents.

“They also have a reputation for being chummy with investors and developers...”
In another report here Inside Housing goes amongst the “slums” and the “barracks of the poor” in Hammersmith and Fulham (H&F) to meet Stephen Greenhalgh right wing leader of its Conservative Council. Greenhalgh was the co-author of a recent pamphlet called Principles for social housing reform published by the think tank Localis. In which he clearly calls for the ending of security of tenure and the introduction of market rent levels. He and the Tory Party are now busy trying to distant themselves from the report. Even though Conservative shadow minister for housing Grant Shapps was at a meeting to welcome it. Local tenants point to new H&F Council developments where there is no public housing included and of course the local Tory Politian’s have “a reputation for being chummy with investors and developers” and enjoy regular visits to developer conferences in the south of France.

Sanctuary at home from DV & Hate
The LGA report on a scheme (it’s not a new idea but is being reported as one) to encourage building “panic rooms” within homes for victims of domestic violence and hate crime. “The rooms have solid core doors, reversed to open outwards with two mortice bolts fitted to the inside of the door along with three large steel hinges and a 180 degree door viewer. An emergency telephone is also provided under the scheme – 999 only – and will be wall mounted”. This is an excellent initiative since many at risk do not want to “go homeless” and flee their home but they must have protection if attacked at home and before the Police arrive.

The first Election manifesto
The FED launched their manifesto last week and had 30 MP’s in attendance (including 3 former housing ministers). Some of things I found interesting that they called are:- £11.7 billion investment to build 150,000 homes 2011-14; manage unsold private sector new build at market or sub market rents until recovery; allow more public housing to be made available to those who are not the most vulnerable but cannot afford homes; compel the nationalised banks to give mortgages for shared ownership and stopping pre-payment rip offs for domestic fuel.

(this is my weekly round up of Public Housing news - picture is of a East London Estate taken at dusk last week which I just happen to like)

Save Sheltered Housing Wardens

The decision by local authorities and housing associations nationwide to replace residential wardens with teams of ‘floating’ workers.

A residential warden is physically there on a live-in, daily basis and can pick up on problems much more quickly than these ‘floating’ workers. Cost cutting in one part of the service will lead to financial and social costs elsewhere. Many older people will feel that they are losing their security, as well as being severely let down.

Calling on councils to immediately re-examine their policies to make sure that funding is prioritised to provide comprehensive services for our most vulnerable in society. Wardens have a strong preventative role to play in recognising problems before they get too bad and maximising people's independence.

The number of over 65s in England is expected to increase by more than 3 million in the next 15 years but the money to care for them is not keeping up.

To sign Number 10 petition click here

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