Joint Housing Delivery Plan for Scotland

Section Two: Housing Journey and Support - Independent Living, Housing Options and the Private Rented Sector

Actions 21 to 34

Our housing requirements and aspirations change throughout our lives and providing suitable homes not only to meet all current needs, but planning for future needs and how best we use resources, were major issues raised through the co-production process. The Actions in this section focus on the different requirements of different individuals - a young person looking for a first independent home, someone with disabilities who needs more suitable accommodation or an elderly person wanting to stay in their own home and community for as long as they possibly can.

Public sector agencies need to work together such that preventative actions - whether providing adaptations, ensuring good quality support services are available or producing well informed collaborative plans - shift the emphasis from crisis interventions to planned provision; so that people can also make informed decisions for themselves as to where they may live whether as wheelchair users, or older citizens. Person-centred support means choice and agencies working together with people, families and carers while also improving planning for particular needs in how we deliver supply generally.

Actions on independent living are detailed in Actions 21 - 25 and focus on joint health and social care integration and the major role that housing plays.

Housing options - Actions 26 - 29 - continues the person-centred approach to housing advice and tailoring requirements for people, which may include many good quality private options as well as public sector housing. Raising public and political awareness of housing as an issue which affects us all through our housing journey in life is a key strand within Action 27 and goes back to the overarching behavioural change needed to support the importance of housing.

There is a specific set of actions relating to the Private Rented Sector in Actions 30 - 34. This tenure is providing many homes for people for whom home ownership is not a realistic option and who are not a high priority for social rented housing. These actions will help deliver key parts of the Scottish Government's Private Rented Sector strategy.

Independent Living Actions 21 - 25

Action 21

An ageing population needs ways of staying at home where appropriate for as long as possible without jeopardising safety or care needs. The pace of change of technology means that there is an opportunity to work with universities and others to test and develop new, simple and practical, ways of delivering care and support. This action will help people with disabilities too.

Ref	Purpose	Actions	Leadership	Possible Partners	Current Status and Resources	Timeline
21.	Enable take up of simple technologies and devices that can improve lives and help older and disabled people to live safely and comfortably at home.	Work with a Scottish University to identify cost effective technologies for testing, to provide support to older and disabled people.	Joint Improvement Team SFHA/ GWSF	Scottish Universities SE/HIE Social enterprises Technology Boards	University R & D budgets, technology company sponsors.	Commissioning of project in 2015. Testing 2016/7. Report and recommendations 2017/18.

Outcome: - More people staying in their own home for longer, in comfort and safety, with savings for the NHS/local authorities.

Action 22

The ageing population also requires more options in terms of housing, to facilitate downsizing from family homes, supporting higher care needs and encouraging choice. To rely on state provided older people's housing to meet all need is not realistic and this action encourages other options and tenures, particularly as equity in existing homes can be utilised to provide new suitable supply.

Ref	Purpose	Actions	Leadership	Possible Partners	Current Status and Resources	Timeline
22.	Increase housing options for older people by diversifying tenures and creating realistic and attractive alternatives.	Identify existing and newer options such as specific Shared Equity schemes for older people. Consider finance options which suit older people in terms of budgets and on-going support costs. Promulgate specific projects as examples.	SFHA/GWSF CML	Private sector providers of older people's housing Local authorities RICS A&DS	Examples available for promulgation. Local authorities can identify sites - see Action 18 - town centre opportunities.	Identification of site by 2016 (brownfield, town centre and in community).

Outcome:- More older people moving to suitable long term accommodation which they can afford and which can support them well into old age. Release of family homes into housing supply - public and private sector.

Action 23

Health and social care integration is well under way with the setting up of local health and social care partnerships and joint integration boards. This will make a fundamental shift in how services are delivered to people. Housing providers have an important role in providing the stability of a good quality affordable and well heated home which can prevent crisis health and social care interventions.

Ref	Purpose	Actions	Leadership	Possible Partners	Current Status and Resources	Timeline
23.	Build an effective evidence base which measures the impact of housing provision, housing services and how housing prevents crisis intervention. Support the Scottish Government priority to reduce the number of people affected by delayed discharge from hospital.	Develop clear examples and methodology to demonstrate and quantify the benefits of housing spend on other budgets. Pilots to demonstrate reduction of pressure on beds for health providers through better discharge processes into good quality housing.	Joint Improvement Team - Housing	Local health and social care partnerships NHS Trusts SFHA/GWSF CIH Shelter	Delivery group to progress proposal and identify funding - e.g. Scottish Government, Kings Fund. Demonstration sites being identified between housing and health/social care.	Commencement of project in 2015. Publication of evidence and methodology, 2016. 2015/16

Outcome:- Savings to health and social care providers which can be demonstrated, and which result in the case for preventative spend within the 16/17 Scottish Government budget.

Action 24

Joint working between health, social care and housing professionals needs to be as effective as possible to deliver the benefits of the integration agenda. This can be best achieved if there are opportunities for different professionals to learn about their colleagues' different roles, all of which will combine to improve understanding, respect and knowledge about what people do in their respective discipline. This action promotes joint training.

Ref	Purpose	Actions	Leadership	Possible Partners	Current Status and Resources	Timeline
24.	Increase shared training and working opportunities between health, social care and the housing professions to develop a shared understanding of roles and objectives.	Joint training tools, secondments, conferences and other opportunities to work jointly. Use of workforce development plans to increase opportunities.	CiH	All professional health and social care training bodies. CoSLA SFHA/GWSF SHARE	Identification of tools, budgets and commitment from parties to promote programmes.	Programme of opportunities available 2015 onwards.

Outcome:- A more collaborative and joint approach to services by professionals involved in health, social care and housing, resulting in better ways of working and more potential for efficiencies.

Action 25

Clear frameworks for delivery of the housing component of health and social care integration must start from full and robust information about the contribution to be made by the housing sector, in each locality. A shared strategic vision is essential and this action seeks to embed housing contribution statements and better communication within the new national integration bodies.

Ref	Purpose	Actions	Leadership	Possible Partners	Current Status and Resources	Timeline
25.	Work to improve communication between housing and the new national integration bodies at a strategic level.	Ensure that all strategic commissioning plans for the new health and social care partnerships are informed by robust and credible housing contribution statements or similar, thereby ensuring that the housing component of integration is fully acknowledged in partnership plans. Develop national understanding and narrative.	JIT with input from local champions.	Scottish Government CoSLA SFHA/GWSF ALACHO NHS	Current Local Authority housing contribution statements and LHS/ SHIP's Hold national events to promulgate joint working.	Guidance 2015 to national integration bodies. Programme of opportunities available 2015 onwards.

Outcome:- Clear decisions about plans and resources by the health and social care partnerships which are fully informed about and take full opportunity of the significant contribution that housing will make to delivery of services.

Housing Options Actions 26 - 29

Action 26

Peoples' housing needs change throughout their lives, along with changes to their relationships and families, their employment, financial resources and health. However, while there is public concern about shortages, affordability and house condition, public discussion about housing policy rarely recognises this complexity. This action seeks to harness all involved in housing in Scotland to raise public awareness of the diverse and changing requirement for housing throughout all our lives

Ref	Purpose	Actions	Leadership	Possible Partners	Current Status and Resources	Timeline
26.	Public activities to highlight the importance of the lifetime housing journey and encourage housing organisations and individuals to think in these terms.	Engagement by housing organisations in the Scottish Government's forthcoming national discussion on social justice. Publication of joint document about the housing journey, supported by all sectors.	CIH	CoSLA ALACHO Shelter HfS SAL, Scottish Land and Estates SFHA/ GWSF Regional Tenants Networks NHS CML A&DS RICS TPAS	Use existing CIH papers on housing system.	2015

Outcome:- Raise public awareness of the complexity and importance of housing policy issues.

Action 27

Housing Options Scotland has been operational for some time providing a proactive service to older people and those with disabilities, helping them to find appropriate housing. Around 400 people per annum draw on their services to secure housing solutions across all tenures - rented and ownership. This action has links to housing supply and good quality information to inform planning for new housing.

Ref	Purpose	Actions	Leadership	Possible Partners	Current Status and Resources	Timeline
27.	Broaden use of Housing Options approach for older and disabled people, and if appropriate, learn lessons for housing advice provision to the general public.	Build on the Housing Options approach to provide targeted information and advice to cover a wide range of housing journeys.	Age Scotland, Housing Options Scotland, Inclusion Scotland Scottish Government	Local authorities, SFHA/GWSF SCVO Third sector advice and support providers, including those supporting older people and those with disabilities HfS.	Use existing housing advice suppliers to adapt and promulgate housing options approach.	2015/16 for guidance and training on Housing Options. 2017 Evaluation.

Outcome:- More older and disabled people appropriately housed, with needs evidenced to inform housing planning assumptions and supply.

Action 28

Adaptations to people's homes to allow them to live independently and safely for as long as possible, has for many years been a successful and cost effective measure. However, an independent review has highlighted how significant changes in delivery of adaptations could make better use of resources and improve the service to people. This action will ensure effective delivery of the recommendations

Ref	Purpose	Actions	Leadership	Possible Partners	Current Status and Resources	Timeline
28.	Implementation of the recommendations of the independent Adaptations Working Group Report.	Help to Adapt Pilot Scheme. Demonstration test sites, independent evaluation and then development of new guidance.	Scottish Government Independent Living Team	JIT, CoSLA, ALACHO SFHA/GWSF COTSS SWS Care and Repair Housing Options Scotland Inclusion Scotland	Adapting for Change Advisory Group.	Pilot reviewed 2016. Test sites and projects identified, 2015 for delivery 2016/17.

Outcome:- A more person centred, cost effective adaptations process which combines joint working between all housing agencies, occupational therapists and health and support workers, resulting in more adaptations carried out which are appropriate and more people staying in their own homes.

Action 29

The alleviation of homelessness is a major Scottish Government housing priority and while significant inroads have been made in reducing the numbers of homeless people in Scotland, there is no room for complacency. The housing options approach in relation to prevention of homelessness through the operation of local authority hubs has been successful, but further work is required to improve effectiveness.

Ref	Purpose	Actions	Leadership	Possible Partners	Current Status and Resources	Timeline
29.	Build on and seek continual improvement of the housing options approach for those at risk of homelessness.	Providing targeted advice and support to cover a wider range of housing journey pathways for those at risk of homelessness.	Local authority Housing Options Hubs.	Local authorities, SFHA/ GWSF Shelter Third sector advice and support providers Scottish Government	Body of evidence of operation of hubs and experience of effectiveness of interventions. Homeless Prevention and Strategy Group.	Review and recommendations published 2015/16.

Outcome:- Further effective reductions in Scotland's homelessness figures.

Private Rented Sector Actions 30 - 34

Action 30

The structural changes to the mortgage market post 2008 have seen the demand for private rented housing increase, as ownership is not an option for those who cannot raise a sufficient deposit or meet stricter credit requirements. This has led to the need to review how the Private Rented Sector ( PRS) tenure operates to provide a fair balance between the rights of tenants and encouraging landlord investment.

Ref	Purpose	Actions	Leadership	Partners	Current Status and Resources	Timeline
30.	Ensure that tenancy arrangements are fit for purpose and meet the needs of the modern PRS.	Develop a new private sector tenancy.	Scottish Government	Shelter HfS PRS Champion SAL SFHA/GWSF CoSLA, ALACHO SPF, Scottish Land and Estates CML, CIH, RICS	Consultation ongoing. Review of recommendations leading to draft legislation.	This parliamentary session.

Outcome:- More people choosing to rent in the private sector and staying for longer periods in good quality accommodation, where landlords have invested in long term relationships with their tenants.

Action 31

The development of a new tenancy will also lead to the requirement to review the regulation of private sector tenancies and to consider improvement in standards in management, condition and energy efficiency (mainly in existing stock and with homes owned by small scale private sector landlords). This action will build on the work already being undertaken by the sector to raise awareness and standards of good practice.

Ref	Purpose	Actions	Leadership	Possible Partners	Current Status and Resources	Timeline
31.	Fine tune the regulation of the PRS sector so it fits with the vision and strategic aims set out in the PRS strategy.	Develop a more effective regulatory system with targeted enforcement action to improve property management, property condition of existing stock and energy efficiency in the PRS.	Scottish Government PRS Strategy Group.	Shelter HfS PRS Champion SFHA/GWSF CoSLA, ALACHO SPF Scottish Land and Estates CML CIH RICS	Actions identified in the PRS Strategy and the Sustainable Housing Strategy.	Guidance and recommendations by 2016.

Outcome:- A high quality private rented sector managed by well -informed landlords operating to clear standards and guidelines.

Action 32

Scotland's private rented sector is in the main owned by small scale landlords with one or two homes in management. This contrasts with continental Europe and the US, where large scale professional private rented sector provision is common and attracts significant investment to build new homes. This action is to facilitate provision and test projects at scale, to demonstrate how it can work in Scotland.

Ref	Purpose	Actions	Leadership	Possible Partners	Current Status and Resources	Timeline
32.	Delivery of new homes at scale through the private rented sector.	Identify a portfolio of deliverable sites that could deliver PRS at scale and could be attractive to large scale institutional investors.	PRS Champion and PRS Working Party.	HfS SPF Private developers, Commercial investors Local authorities RICS Scottish Government	Private investment available, sites to be identified and market information obtained on clients/affordability.	Projects underway 2016.

Outcome:- Increase supply of private rented sector homes .

Action 33

The public sector recognises that the private rented sector is now an integral part of the Scottish Housing System and will continue to be a major resource for Scotland to house people of all ages and circumstances. It is therefore important that all opportunities are taken for the public and private sectors to identify new provision jointly and work on good practice.

Ref	Purpose	Actions	Leadership	Possible Partners	Current Status and Resources	Timeline
33	Building an effective interface between public and private sectors on PRS development opportunities and good practice.	Identify key officers in relevant local authorities to work with the PRS Champion and ensure effective public/private sector joint working through the PRS working party and its sub group structures.	Local authorities. HfS PRS Champion	PRS Working Party Scottish Government Scottish Cities Alliance RICS SAL SFHA/GWSF Existing Homes Alliance	Use all opportunities to exchange information and develop guidance.	Produce register of opportunities and supplementary guidance on good practice 2015/16.

Outcome:- Identification of more opportunities to build and develop PRS stock, increase overall supply and improve information exchange.

Action 34

Common repairs to property owned by a number of owners such as a tenement can be fraught and difficult, despite recent legislation to improve on the previous feudal system. The situation is further complicated where ownership is mixed between a number of tenures - public and private - with different levels of resources, priorities and timescales. This action focuses work on improving how common repairs are undertaken.

Ref	Purpose	Actions	Leadership	Possible Partners	Current Status and Resources	Timeline
34.	Improve the management of common repairs in existing properties, to account for mixed ownership - PRS, public sector and owner occupiers.	New guidance and the sharing of good practice information. Build on current legislation.	Local authorities	SFHA/ GWSF Factoring Network Property Managers Association Scotland SAL RICS	Project group to manage production of new guidance. Recommendations on any changes to legislation.	This parliamentary session.

Outcome:- Improved stock condition through better and more cost effective building repairs done on an equitable basis between tenures.