'Lifetime Homes Lifetime Neighbourhoods: a national strategy for housing in an ageing society' included a commitment from government to provide £33million of investment in handyperson services to all local authorities in England over 2009/2011. This funding, known as 'Part A funding', is to develop holistic handyperson services to address the following factors.
Accident risks - falls on stairs, falls on level, fire, electrical hazards
Cold - energy efficiency and draught-proofing
Fear of violence and crime - entry by intruders
Fire, carbon monoxide – free detectors
Inadequate facilities for hygiene, sanitation, food storage and preparation
A foot in the door for other services, including state benefits, care, support and more substantial home improvements
For more information on how this funding is being used locally contact your local Supporting People team.
'Lifetime homes' also contained a commitment to fund a two-year pilot programme (2009-2011) to develop 'enhanced handyperson services' to test out new ideas in housing-related support. The pilots will help develop new rapid repairs and adaptations services that include expanding the coverage of handyperson services nationally, building capacity within the sector, developing service standards, and developing more pro-active and joined-up handyperson services.
Linked services include falls and accident prevention, home security, fire safety, energy efficiency, adaptations and targeted health improvement. The review of the pilots will inform Communities and Local Government's submission to the Comprehensive Spending Review in 2011. The pilots are taking place in:
Blackpool, Cornwall, Dudley, Knowsley, Leeds, Manchester, Middlesbrough, Milton Keynes, Newcastle, Norfolk, North Somerset, Northamptonshire, Northumberland, Plymouth, Rochdale, Tower Hamlets, Warrington, Warwickshire, and Wirral.
For more information please contact Handypersons@cel.co.uk
DCLG has also funded the University of York to evaluate the two-year handyperson programme and enhanced pilots, examining the success of the services, outcomes and satisfaction for service users, value for money, and good practice. The Evaluation Team will work with local authorities and service providers over the next 18 months and all local authorities will be asked to provide data, using as much that is already routinely collected as possible.
For more information please contact Handypersons@cel.co.uk
