New benefits regime could hit housing for the elderly
Warning cuts threaten sheltered accommodation
THOUSANDS of older people across Scotland could suffer from cuts to sheltered housing because of changes in the benefits system, according to three of the country’s largest providers.
The alert comes after it was announced by the UK Government that housing benefit is to be capped at the level of a local allowance, which aims to control the system for private-sector rentals.
Bield, Hanover and Trust (BHT), which together have more than 12,000 residents in 11,200 properties in most of Scotland’s council areas, said a long-term solution is needed to meet the challenge of an ageing population.
They also want to push funding to help with better integration of health and social care services across the country.
The groups fear a housing benefit cap could lead to a reduction in services for those in enhanced housing management, retirement, sheltered and very sheltered housing, as well as block the supply of older persons supported housing.
The providers also called for clarity around short-term funding for this type of accommodation.
Helen Murdoch, chief executive of Hanover Scotland, said: “Government policies such as the welcome focus on closer working between health and social care rely heavily on the services provided at sites operated by Bield, Hanover and Trust. We all appreciate the work already done by the Scottish Government and others to address the complex and challenging problems facing the supply and provision of supported housing but believe there is more that could be done to plan for the future.
“We want to work with the Scottish Government and other stakeholders to find effective ways of funding housing and support services for older people in both the immediate term and into the future. Without this, costs on the public purse are likely to increase significantly as more pressure is put on to acute services.”
BHT said they believe a blanket approach applying the local housing allowance to public-sector rents will have severe and long-lasting consequences for older people.
These include property rental payments to housing associations being capped, loss of income and a failure to cover essential staffing costs in sheltered, very sheltered, retirement and enhanced housing management services, and supported housing developments becoming unaffordable and forced to close or be converted to general needs housing.
The housing associations estimate that the impact in their properties alone would affect 8,547 tenants, create a funding gap of £16.3 million per year, bring threat to the current status of 303 developments across Scotland and put 1,122 jobs at risk due to required service redesign.
Whilst there have been commitments given that a top-up fund will be made available for supported housing, it is claimed the lack of certainty over the funding arrangements presents a major risk for BHT, creating shortfalls which could result in the reduction in the provision of supported housing.
This would put significant additional pressure on local acute services, already operating at breaking point in many area.
BHT have said they want a commission to examine long-term funding of supported housing, clarity around definition of what constitutes supported housing and detail on provision of 50,000 new homes to ensure adequate supply.
Housing Minister Kevin Stewart said: “We will consider the BHT report carefully and look at its recommendations to ensure that older people can access the housing and support they need. We are committed to working with the sector and stakeholders, including BHT, to ensure that supported accommodation is put on a sustainable and secure footing.”
‘‘ We want to work with the Government to find effective ways of funding housing and support services
A RENOWNED glass blower, commissioned by aristocracy, is exhibiting his work at an Edinburgh gallery.
Elizabeth Campbell, pictured, of the Scottish Gallery in Dundas Street, closely inspects Colin Reid’s work, Still Life in Gold.
Mr Reid, who studied at St Martins College of Art, has displayed his work at 40 international collections. His clients include the Duke & Duchess of Buccleuch. Picture: Gordon Terris