Foundations Independent Home Improvement Agency Network Meeting

Foundations’ Independent Home Improvement Agency Network Meeting for Home Improvement Agencies (HIA) and Adaptations Team Managers was held on 11 December, in this blog Regional Advisor Roy McNally updates on the key themes.

A meeting of independent HIAs and Adaptations Teams was held on Wednesday 11 December 2024. This was the first such meeting in several years, as the original Independent Group meeting disbanded in approximately 2016. However, it was felt by Foundations that the group meetings should be re-started, possibly with a renewed focus and new terms of reference. Nine services were represented at the online Teams meeting.

Originally, the group met on a face-to-face basis approximately three or four times per year, with meetings being hosted by each service in rotation. This led to some considerable amount of time travelling to locations across the country, and, as such, engagement dropped to approximately five services who would regularly attend.  The meetings were also supported by Care & Repair England as a counter-point to Foundations with them having a role as a campaigning body.

The definition has changed over the years to reflect the prevailing environment. Additionally, the definition of a Home Improvement Agency has undergone some evolution, with HIAs offering alternative services such as affordable warmth becoming accredited. In a similar vein, the definition of an ‘independent’ HIA needed to be examined. Essentially, we know that an independent service is one that sits outside the corporate entity of a local authority or a Housing Association. Operational objectives focus on helping older and disabled people live independently in their homes, by providing minor and major adaptations, handyperson services, access to vetted tradespeople, information, advice and affordable warmth services.

In terms of corporate status, some independent HIAs operate as Community Interest Companies, Registered Charities, and others are commercial concerns.

Going forward the newly reconstituted group will meet online, on a quarterly basis, and Foundations will provide the online hosting and secretarial functions. The group felt that in the initial stages, access should be limited to those groups operating in a non-profit making capacity.

The next meeting will be scheduled for March 2025, details of which will be made available in subsequent Foundations newsletters.

If you wish to include any agenda items, please contact [email protected].