We see this strategy as a living document. In the following chapters we set out our priorities and the actions we have agreed to meet these priorities. But this is only the beginning of a process of learning and change. We would welcome your views on any part of this strategy and on the implementation of the strategy.We will be developing a delivery plan over the next six months and would welcome your
collaboration in areas where you can help us in delivery.
Some of the tools we have developed are “ready to go”, and for these, we will monitor their uptake, including lifetime homes standards. Other areas of the strategy represent “work in progress”, and we are committed to further development and action in respect of these. We will, for example, develop further the concept of lifetime neighbourhoods and publish good practice. We will set up an innovation panel to test innovative new ideas, and inform and influence future provision and management of specialised housing. And we have commissioned work to consider the future for Home Improvement Agencies.
A key part of planning for our ageing population is ensuring that we make best use of the evidence. There has been a revolution in the availability and accessibility of data resources to help regional and local planners and decision-makers to develop strategies and design services to meet the needs of changing local populations. We are publishing district-level information showing projections of the future make-up of households and growth in older households.52We are also publishing research on
older people’s housing options and aspirations53which can guide local decision-
makers, but should not substitute for local engagement with older people on the issues that matter for them.
The Housing and Older People’s Development Group (HOPDEV) has acted as an advisory group to the development of this strategy. We will continue to work with HOPDEV, and with the DH Housing Learning and Improvement Network and other key stakeholders to implement the strategy and build capacity and leadership at local and regional levels. We will also commit to deliver focused work in key areas such as planning and ageing regional road shows.
52 Communities and Local Government (2008). 53 Croucher (2008).
The following sections set out in detail the range of ambitions we have for all older people. Section Two sets out a better deal for older people today including increased investment in new housing, new repairs and adaptations services, Disabled Facilities Grant and better housing advice and information. Section Three, Housing for our future selves, looks at planning for ageing, our new ambition to build all homes to lifetime homes standards by 2013 and lifetime neighbourhoods. Finally, Section Four considers how strengthening links between housing, health and care is necessary for the well-being of older people and for the economic sustainability of health and care services.
Chapter 4 More Help to Make the Right Choice | 47
Chapter 4: More Help to Make the
Right Choice
Summary
All of us want to stay independent for as long as possible, but this involves knowing more about our choices. There is a critical need for more and better information about the range of housing choices available to older people, what might be right for each individual or family. In particular, more information is needed about the help and support that is available to older people wishing to stay in their own homes in order to ensure that those homes are safe and comfortable. There is also a need for housing advice and information to
encompass wider issues around care and support, and housing-related finance, such as the potential of equity release.
We will work with partners across government and in the voluntary and community sector, to provide a new approach to a national housing information and
advice service, upon which we will be able to build progressively, to ensure that older people can make active and informed decisions about their housing, care and finance options. Linked to this, we will strengthen local housing advice, information and ‘moving home’ servicesfor older people.
One particular area where more and better information and advice is of crucial importance is in relation to options for financing home improvements, particularly through private finance and equity release. In our mainstream housing
programmes through Regional Assemblies we have encouraged publicly funded loans schemes to increase the use of loan and equity release products, to enable authorities to make resources go further, and to help more people. The Kickstart programme is already helping older people in the West Midlands to finance repairs to their homes. We will continue to work with the Government Offices, local authorities, Home Improvement Agencies and other agencies to extend the information available and publicise the range of products and geographical coverage of regional loansschemes available in the public sector to assist vulnerable older householders finance repairs and improvements to their homes.