CIH Eastern Region Conference 12 November 2015 A review of the Sheltered housing service. Nigel Andrews, Tenancy support services manager
A review of the Sheltered Housing Service So what are we looking at this morning. Restructuring service in light of funding reductions; Identifying areas for decommissioning, remodelling and adaptation; Ensuring resident engagement throughout the process; Meeting expectations and aspirations of future residents. Project review started in April 2011
A review of the Sheltered Housing Service. Why did we do a review of our sheltered stock? Low demand; Poor void turnaround; Buildings. assets or liabilities? Loss of SP funding; Cost concerns Old fashioned service. Expectations and aspirations of tenants- future proofing.
Identifying areas for decommissioning, remodelling and adaptation Challenges of the review has been to provide; Good quality housing related support service and tenancy management to tenants; Good quality accommodation; Cost effective Good quality tenant engagement. Managing tenants aspirations.
Working with the staff to help shape the Pre restructure. service. Formal consultation with staff 12 weeks Liaison with HR and Unions. All staff had the opportunity of shaping new roles Staff were able to chose either support worker or sheltered housing officer role. New service Monday to Friday- 8.45am to 5.15pm. Norwich Community Alarm Service out of hours/ SWIFT service. Report to Cabinet and regular briefings with portfolio holder. Tenant engagement Did we get it right?
Identifying areas for decommissioning, remodelling and adaptation Prince 2 methodology. Project Board meetings. Working groups. Regular meetings with portfolio holder. Tenants updated via the SHTF/ SHIP.
Identifying areas for decommissioning, remodelling and adaptation. Adapted Britannia Court 31 flats with a 2 bedroomed bungalow. Scheme will be remodelled to provide 1 bed general needs flats in two blocks + 2 bed disabled bungalow. Completion May 2016
Identifying areas for decommissioning, remodelling and adaptation. Decommissioned Lakenfields 34 flats with a 2 bedroomed bungalow. Leased to a specialist housing provider for supported housing, for single homeless people with mental health issues and possible substance misuse excluding dementia. CCG/ Adult Social Care
Identifying areas for decommissioning, remodelling and adaptation. Remodelling St James House 34 flats and a 3 bedroomed bungalow. Invest in flagship sheltered model working with tenants to design fit for future housing. Completion March 2016.
Identifying areas for decommissioning, remodelling and adaptation. The decant process Decanted 70 tenants over a period of 13 months. Lakenfields and Britannia Court 9 months St James - 4 months. Majority moved to other sheltered housing schemes, with a few to HWC and other SH providers including general needs. Supported by the sheltered housing and home options teams.
Decanting tenants- feedback.. 90% of tenants at Lakenfields and Britannia Court said that they were very satisfied with the moving process. 10% were neither satisfied or dissatisfied. 94% of tenants at St James were very satisfied with the process, 6% neither satisfied or dissatisfied. Home loss/ disturbance
Remodelling St James House Demolish or remodel? 32 flats and 2x 1 bed semi detached bungalows 6 different flat designs Funded by housing capital programme estimated cost 2.5m - 12 month build programme; Complete refurbishment of all properties; New warden call system, new heating system- eco efficient, new windows, mains drainage, roof and power supply; Relocate and build new main entrance, including reception area; dining room, guest suite, IT suite and library; Purpose built mobility scooter storage! Landscaped gardens.
Remodelling St James House Converting ex staff 3 bedroom bungalow to 2 one bedroom semi detached bungalows. Smaller 1 bed flats remodelling to open plan kitchen/living area, wet room and double bedroom. Juliette balconies to all first floor properties with French doors to patios to ground floor properties.
Remodelling St James House How did we consult and engage? 12 month lead in time; Concept discussed at the SHTF; Scheme meetings at St James with tenants and relatives; Tenants supported by home options staff and project manager.
St James House work in progress!
The Library
The Dining Room
The Guestroom
Typical bedroom Add in new photobedroom
St James House
Enhanced voids Introduced in April 2013 and to date completed approximately 214 voids or 23% of sheltered housing stock. Ready to move in homes includes; Decorated and flooring throughout Replacing bathroom with wet room New fitted kitchen with white goods supplied. Funded through housing capital programme - 250k per annum. In the majority of cases still achieving 16 day void turnaround performance.
Enhanced voids
Refurbishment of communal areas Rolling programme with both Capital and Revenue investment: Tenant consultation Includes major refurbishment of the lounge/ guestrooms/toilets/doors and front doors. New flooring/ furniture and fittings
Communal lounges- before..
Communal lounges after
Communal lounges before
Communal lounges after
Guestrooms. before
Guestrooms. after
Next project due for completion Dec 2015
Next project- due for completion March 2016
Remodelling of ex staff accommodation Conversion of ex staff 3 bedroom staff houses. Provides 2 x 1 bed room flats. Helps to reduce service charges. Tenant involvement at both scheme level and SHIP.
Ensuring resident engagement throughout the process. Tenants meetings Scheme meetings Sheltered housing tenants forum - bi monthly. Sheltered housing involvement panel(ship)
SHIP Understanding of service and support charges. Visited housing redevelopment sites. Attended the National ARCH conference. Visited Gasway s head office. Evaluation of tender documents.
Meeting expectations and aspirations of future residents Recent survey to older people living in general needs housing told us that : 67% prefer level access shower to a bath; 67% prefer 1 bedroom accommodation(bungalow); 76% would move into sheltered housing to receive general support ; 63% would move for additional security and 50% want smaller accommodation;
Contact details Nigel Andrews, Tenancy support services manager Telephone: 01603 212572 or 07795127487 Email: nigelandrews@norwich.gov.uk
Any Questions?