This new report examines a range of approaches to helping older people make informed decisions about their housing options.
The report, commissioned by EAC as part of its FirstStop Advice programme funded by the Department for Communities and Local Government, explores the financial outcomes of different services for older people as well as the public purse, and the ways in which they contribute to making the most effective use of housing stock
A London-based
Homeshare service, Crossroads Care Central & North London (CCCNL) matches older home owners who need support with people who want to share their home to enable both to benefit, for a fee they both pay.
‘Free Space’ , a new pilot scheme by the
London Borough of Redbridge, was selected, despite its short track record, for the imaginative way it enables home owners to use equity in their house to rent it out, rent smaller, more suitable accommodation and make a profit. The Council makes all the arrangements.
A local
FirstStop example makes the economic case for good information by demonstrating the savings to the public purse of advice which leads to a move to supported housing compared to staying in poor housing or moving to a nursing home
Two case studies demonstrate the value of proactive intervention by
WE Care & Repair, both in human and financial terms.
Seamless Relocation works closely with providers and commissioners and provides intensive practical support to make moving home as stress-free as possible for older people.
"The report illustrates clearly how each of the services examined depends for its success on the provision of good information and advice (I&A), and concludes that the I&A sector should develop a range of products to attract social investment in its expansion, with a particular focus on using the asset base of older people to under-pin the support and interventions offered." (Nick O’Shea, consultant)
"This report offers further evidence that relatively small levels of Government and social investment in targeted, low cost services could vastly improve the options older people have to get the right support, housing and advice at the right time. This would save money and improve lives. It is one of the few areas of social care where a clear answer has emerged to address the problems faced." (John Galvin, CEO EAC)
Welcoming the report, Daniel Pearson, Director of FirstStop Advice said “this shows how imaginative solutions to housing and care problems do exist, are cost effective and cost relatively little to scale up. However they do depend on quality information and advice, which we are committed to develop, with further support from Government."