About HIAs

Home Improvement Agencies (HIAs) are a vital part of the UK’s approach to ensuring safe, accessible, and comfortable housing for everyone, especially the elderly, disabled, and those living on low incomes. These agencies play a crucial role in helping people make necessary changes to their homes, whether it’s minor repairs or major adaptations. This not only improves their quality of life but also helps them live independently in their own homes for longer.

HIAs offer a range of services, from providing advice and information to managing entire home improvement projects. They act as a bridge between individuals who need home adaptations and the services required to make these changes. This includes navigating through the complexities of funding, finding reliable contractors, and ensuring that the work is completed to a high standard.

The concept of HIAs originated as a response to the growing need for support among older homeowners and has since expanded to serve a wider array of community members. By focusing on individual needs, these agencies deliver tailored solutions that make a real difference in people’s lives.

A major national evaluation of Home Improvement Agencies (HIAs) in England has been conducted by Sheffield Hallam University, the University of Sheffield, the University of Stirling, the Building Research Establishment (BRE), and Foundations, in partnership with the Centre for Ageing Better. The research ran from May 2023 to October 2024, providing the most in-depth review of HIAs in England to date.

Key Findings of the Evaluation

• There are around 200 HIAs in England, covering 82% of local authority areas.
• Many operate as one-stop shops, providing a mix of adaptations, repairs, and advice.
• HIAs improve health outcomes by reducing falls and enabling faster hospital discharge.
• Funding levels and service availability vary across England, leading to differences in access.
• Collaboration with health and social care is essential, with some HIAs working closely with the NHS and local authorities to streamline support.

What This Means for the Future of HIAs

The evaluation reinforces the critical role of HIAs in improving housing conditions and supporting independent living. It highlights the need for better funding, stronger integration with health and social care, and expansion of services to ensure everyone can access the help they need.

HIAs continue to be a vital lifeline for thousands of people across England, providing practical, cost-effective solutions that keep homes safe, accessible, and suitable for those who need them most.

HIAs stand out in the field of housing and care due to their unique approach to service delivery. This distinctiveness not only defines their operations but also underscores their effectiveness in addressing the needs of individuals requiring home adaptations. Here are key aspects of the unique approach adopted by HIAs:

Holistic Assessment: Unlike traditional home improvement services, HIAs look beyond just the physical alterations needed in a property. They conduct a holistic assessment that includes the individual’s health, mobility, lifestyle needs, and how these interact with their living environment. This comprehensive approach ensures that the solutions provided are not just functional but also enhance the overall well-being of the individuals.

Person-Centred Service: At the heart of HIAs’ approach is the person-centred model. They prioritize the needs, preferences, and aspirations of the individuals they serve, ensuring that the solutions are tailored to each person’s unique circumstances. This approach fosters a sense of dignity and respect for the clients, which is particularly important for vulnerable populations.

Collaborative Working: HIAs excel in working collaboratively with a network of stakeholders including local authorities, healthcare providers, social services, and contractors. This collaborative approach ensures that all aspects of a client’s needs are addressed efficiently and cohesively, leveraging the strengths and resources of various sectors.

Community Integration: HIAs are deeply integrated into their local communities, which enables them to understand and effectively respond to local needs. Their community-based approach allows them to build trust and establish strong relationships with the individuals and families they serve, as well as with local service providers.

Adaptability and Innovation: HIAs are known for their adaptability and willingness to innovate. Whether it’s adopting new technologies, exploring creative housing solutions, or adapting to changing regulations and funding landscapes, HIAs are often at the forefront of innovation in home adaptation services.

Advocacy and Empowerment: Beyond providing practical assistance, HIAs play a crucial role in advocating for the rights and needs of their clients. They empower individuals by giving them a voice in decisions affecting their living conditions and by raising awareness about the importance of suitable and accessible housing.

HIAs have a long history of helping people, especially older and disabled people, to live safely and comfortably in their own homes. Let’s take a look at how HIAs have grown and changed over the years.

The Early Days in the 1970s

• Starting Out: HIAs began in the 1970s. Back then, they were called Care & Repair or Staying Put schemes. They started as local projects to help older people fix and adapt their homes.
• Community Efforts: These early HIAs were mostly run by local groups or charities. They focused on helping elderly homeowners with repairs so they could live independently.

Growing and Getting Recognised

• 1980s – Government Steps In: In the 1980s, the government started to see how important these services were. This led to more support and funding from the government. Many new HIAs were managed by housing associations.
• 1990s – Helping More People: By the 1990s, HIAs weren’t just for the elderly anymore. They began to help a wider range of people, including those with low incomes and disabilities.

Moving Into the 2000s

• National Body for HIAs: The Government commissioned a national body for HIAs to oversee the development of the sector – Foundations were appointed in spring 2000.
• Partnerships and Money: In the early 2000s, HIAs began working more closely with the local government as part of the Supporting People programme. This helped them get more stable funding and play a bigger role in carrying out government housing policies.
• Larger Agencies: One of the requirements of the increased funding was for HIAs to become larger, more resilient services – which saw many small district services merge and some county wide HIAs to emerge.
• Strategic Importance: The key role of HIAs was recognised in the Labour Government’s comprehensive housing strategy, Lifetime Home Lifetime Neighbourhoods.

Recent Changes

• In-house Services: The end of Supporting People saw services taken in-house by local authorities, as the number of housing associations delivering services decreased.
• Looking at the Bigger Picture: Nowadays, HIAs do more than just home repairs. They think about the overall health and well-being of the people they help.
• Working Together: HIAs now often work with health services, social care providers, local councils, and housing groups to offer a full range of services.

What’s Next

• HIAs continue to change and grow. They’re always looking for better ways to help people, especially vulnerable and older individuals, to live independently in their homes.

Throughout their history, HIAs have always been about helping people in the community. They’ve adapted over time to meet changing needs and continue to be a vital service for many.