28 January, 2011
Foundations has been asked to clarify the position in relation to the funding of handyperson services for the next financial year. We can advise as follows:
The Coalition Government has made funding for handyperson services available from April 2011 onwards for four years under the heading of "Housing Strategy for Older People". The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Eric Pickles, wrote to local authority Chief Executives following the comprehensive spending review. Within that letter details were provided about a funding stream called "Housing Strategy for Older People" to be paid for four years from 11/12 to 14/15. The money is unringfenced and will be paid as part of "Formula Grant" as a lump sum in each year.
Funding for “Housing Strategy for Older People” comprises £15.5m in 11/12, £13.5m in 12/13, £11.5m in 13/14 and £10.5m in 14/15. This letter is available to view online. During 09/10 and 10/11, Handyperson funding was paid as a named grant in two streams, namely part A (Handypersons funding) and part B (Enhanced Handypersons Pilots). The “Housing Strategy for Older People” funding mentioned in the Secretary of State’s letter to LA chief executives is a continuation of the handypersons funding, however the money is not ringfenced and ultimately it’s for local authorities to decide how much money is allocated to handyperson services at the local level.
There is a Coalition Government committment to helping older people to remain living independently in their own homes for longer and there are specific references in the Coalition Agreement -
"We will help elderly people live at home for longer through solutions such as home adaptations and community support programmes".
"The Government believes that people deserve dignity and respect in old age, and that they should be provided with the support they need."
For carry over of Handypersons funding from 2010/11 to 2011/12, the DCLG conditions of grant allowed for carry over, as long as approval was granted by local authority finance departments at the local level.
If you require further advice on handyperson funding please contact your Foundations regional development consultant or the team of Handyperson Coordinators.
