Consultation set up on housing policy
PEOPLE have the opportunity to share their views about a proposed new way of reviewing supported housing in Lancashire.
Tenants, their families, care providers and the public can have their say on the proposed changes intended to maximise occupancy in supported housing.
The eight-week online consultation, started on Thursday, January 30.
Supported housing schemes are delivered by housing providers, and the care and support to tenants is commissioned by Lancashire County Council.
They ensure that people with disabilities can live as independently as possible in the community.
Most people who live in supported housing share a house and the communal facilities.
There is usually 24-hour support from care workers.
There are currently 160 properties with one or more vacancies, out of a total of 700 supported housing schemes in the county.
There are around 225 vacancies in total.
When there are one or more longterm vacancies in supported housing schemes, it can cause problems for other residents who may feel more isolated and could have to pay more for the service or household bills.
Vacancies also put a financial burden on the county council, which subsidises the remaining shared services when a vacancy arises.
County Cllr Graham Gooch, cabinet member for adult services, said: “Vacancies in supported housing are a major issue in Lancashire.
“We work very closely with housing providers to ensure vacancies are filled as quickly as possible once they arise and this good work will continue
“However, there are some schemes with long-term vacancies with little or no hope that they will be filled, because of the way the services operate. These proposals are about reducing properties that are no longer viable because of ongoing vacancies, where there is little or no chance that they will ever be filled.
“There are some properties where there have been vacancies for years and this situation cannot continue.
“The county council cannot continue to pay for housing that is not being used. We have set out criteria that will be used to make decisions about whether the county council will continue to commission certain tenancies.
“However, our priority is to ensure that people are happy with where they live, that they are safe, settled and well in their supported accommodation, and that all their rights are respected. We would like people to share their views on our proposal via our website.”
To take part in the consultation, visit www3.lancashire.gov.uk/corporate/consultation/responses/ response.asp?ID=381.
The consultation closes on March 25.