Supported housing in Scotland and the role of housing

associations

Yvette BurgessUnit Director, Housing Support Enabling Unit

In conjunction with the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations

Overview•Housing associations working in partnership with voluntary sector support providers: Model 1

•Core and cluster working where accommodation based services are provided in conjunction with visiting support to other tenancies: Model 2

•Integrated delivery of services with health and local authority partners: Model 3

Model 1: HAs working in partnership with a voluntary sector support provider•HA maintains a landlord role and issues tenancy agreement •Voluntary sector provider may take on elements of the landlord role such as helping managing rent payments or helping to arrange repairs•Properties can be developed specifically for people with specific needs or can be existing properties in the area•Typically small scale

Model 1: example•Organisations involved: Penumbra (voluntary organisation working with people with mental health problems); Langstane Housing Association and Aberdeen City Council•Existing provision needed to be replaced•Langstane HA was developing new housing•11 properties identified at the planning stage for people with mental health problems to be supported by Penumbra

Papermill Court, Aberdeen Recovery focused support

• Practical support – promoting life skills

• Social support – mixing with others and being part of the local community

• Emotional support – building trust and positive relationship with support worker

• Involvement in decision making

Model 2: Core and Cluster (sometimes called Hub and Spoke) •Housing association providing support which is linked to accommodation as well as to other tenancies which are not deemed to be ‘supported’

Model 2: exampleOrganisations involved: Barony Housing Association and West Lothian Council and Bangour Village Hospital•Closure of Bangour Village Hospital•Housing developed with care and support for 39 people•Contract awarded via a competitive tendering process in 2000•Property model - 3 core and cluster developments and involved joint input to property design •The 3 core properties providing 24 hour care and support to a total of 17 people; 22 cluster tenancies with visiting housing support

‘I have been a Barony tenant for nearly 10 years. I like living in my own flat in Armadale. I like having the freedom to do what I want. The staff help me with my housework. They sit and chat. They are always pleasant to me. I go to the core house on a Tuesday to play bingo and a Friday for a Chippy “T”. I like to go to Kathy’s kitchen for my lunch every day. I sometimes go to Whitburn to meet my friend.’

Patricia lives in a Barony flat, she gets regular support from Barony staff who visit her from the nearby group living house or “core”. Barony HA Annual Report 2011

Model 3: integrated service delivery with health and local council •HA delivering enhanced landlord services to tenants with care/support needs •Health providing services onsite due to nursing care needs of tenants•Local council providing homecare and support services •Increasing tendency for accommodation base to be opened up for activities or services for wider community

Model 3: example

Elizabeth Maginnes CourtOrganisations involved: Dunedin Canmore HA; City of Edinburgh Council and Lothian Health Board•68 flats for older people•50% higher care & 50% lower care needs •Community alarm service•Concierge service•Re-ablement service involving physiotherapy; occupational therapy; homecare•Facilities for day care leased to the council and people in the wider community (as well some tenants) use this

Context housing associations operate within will impact on supported housing:•Capital finance for new housing - under increasing pressure as housing association grant has reduced•Welfare reform is making it harder to recover rent and service charges through benefits•Charging for care and support services may increase•Personalisation – legislation now in place which aims to open up new possibilities for those who need care/support - HAs have a role to play in delivering this

Contact details:Yvette Burgess, HSEU: yvette.burgess@ccpscotland.org

Penumbra: jane.cumming@penumbra.org.uk

Barony Housing Association: rjw@baronyha.org.uk

Dunedin Canmore Housing Association: graeme.russell@dunedincanmore.org.uk