Sheltered Housing – Fit for the future?

Eileen Patterson, FOLD HAFiona Boyle, Research consultant

Workshop on sheltered housing

• Introduction about sheltered housing sector and issues/challenges - Eileen

• The rationale for research and review of current model - Fiona

• The main research findings - Fiona• Discussion on how these findings might inform

and impact on future role/best use of provision - Eileen

Challenges for Sheltered Housing

Challenges as identified in 2009: Demography and Demand Design and standard of accommodation Services Staffing Funding Strategy for Older People

Characteristics of Sheltered Housing

Characteristics as identified in 2009:Quality of accommodation good?Accessed via the CSS assessmentClassified as ‘general needs’ accommodationCategorised as ‘Independent Living’Accommodation with low levels of housing

support and no care provided.

Key Question:How will the research on

SHELTERED HOUSING inform our views on these

challenges and characteristics and help us determine

future use?

Rationale for research

• Lack of published reviews or evaluations• Demographics – growth of older population• Other housing options• Changes in the housing market and other changes • Changing age at which people enter sheltered housing• Confusion about the name or term sheltered housing• Voids • Changing expectations and desires

Research Aims

• Research project: Commissioned by NIHE in early 2011 To look to the future in terms of the need for and possible

configuration and delivery of services within the sheltered housing market

Number of research methods and approaches including e-survey of 15 Housing Associations, survey of current tenants, focus groups with older people not in sheltered housing, interviews/focus groups with Scheme Managers/tenants etc.

Main Research Findings

Overview of the number and distribution of sheltered housing schemes in Northern Ireland

• Category 2 housing - 15 Housing Associations• 289 Cat 2 sheltered housing schemes in NI • Total of 7,926 units of accommodation

Main Research Findings

Profile of current sheltered housing tenants• Age - over half (53%) were aged 75 and over

with a further third aged 65 to 74. 16% were aged 24 to 64;

• Two thirds had a disability;• Reason for move to SH and people involved in

decision;• Feedback on facilities available and local

services.

Main Research FindingsHigh satisfaction levels• Current tenants are satisfied with the type of

housing and its services • Sheltered housing has a range of physical and

social benefits;• There was also some level of dissatisfaction

with factors such as car parking, space to store mobility scooters and aides, and the space in kitchens.

Main Research Findings

Sheltered housing has low levels of voids• Voids do not appear to be a significant issue in

the management of sheltered housing in Northern Ireland.

• In 2010/11 - 3% of the total units of sheltered housing

• Nearly two thirds of schemes (62% of stock) indicated no voids during 2010/11 and a further 24% (only one void during the year).

Main Research Findings

A small number of sheltered housing schemes experience difficulties in terms of achieving full occupancy• Difficulties with occupancy appears to be mainly

localised or for a specific reason• Specific difficulties include –

location within a towntype of development and mix of types of housingover-supply in particular areas lack of demand in certain areas

Main Research Findings

Significant numbers of offers of sheltered housing are turned down• Around two third to three quarters of all offers of

sheltered housing are turned down;• Similar to the picture of offers and acceptances

across social housing sector;• Reasons:

Limited knowledge of what sheltered housing is and what services are on offer

Perceived lack of both privacy and independence

Main Research Findings

Sheltered housing is in good physical condition with good accessibility

• Study concluded - majority of sheltered housing is viable and fit for purpose;Physical condition of sheltered housing stock rated

as very good/good (88%)Accessibility rated as very suitable/suitable (87%);But one in five units (19%) rated as not very

suitable in terms of space standards;

Main Research Findings

Tenants are getting older and are ageing in place, and age span of tenants is extending at both ends.

• NICORE data - average of people when they enter sheltered

• Research – current age of tenants

Main Research Findings

The needs of tenants have changed since sheltered housing was first developed• Widening age range and range of reported

other needs e.g. learning difficulty, alcohol addiction, loneliness and depression

• Different implications for the management of sheltered housing.

Main Research Findings

There are varying perceptions of sheltered housing and a range of reasons for turning down an offer of sheltered housing.

• Reasons and issues for perceptions of sheltered housing

• Reasons for turning it down

Future of Sheltered Housing in NI?

Independent LivingVs

Being supported to Live Independently

General Needs AccommodationVs

Individual Needs and Targeted Services

Is becoming an ‘Older Person’different now than it was 20 or 30years ago?

Sheltered Housing has always been age specific and for ‘Older People’

Challenges for Sheltered Housing Today

Are they the same as in 2009?- Demography and Demand- Design and standard of accommodation- Services- Staffing- Funding- Strategy for Older People

Existing Tenants

• A diverse group with ages ranging over 5 decades

• Increased dependence on alcohol• Increased incidence of anti social behaviour• Living longer and not always in good health• Increasing frailty and greater support needs• Two thirds with a disability• No ability to meet care needs within

Future Tenants

• Getting older when moving into sheltered• Getting younger when moving into sheltered• Misperceptions of sheltered housing• Not aware of benefits of sheltered housing

(‘The Best Move I ever made’)• Range of complex health and care needs

Services

• Currently one level of ‘housing support’• Support provided and charged whether

needed or not• No ability to offer range of services• No access to housing support outside of

sheltered housing• No ability to provide care where needed• No ability to provide for ‘private pay’

The Challenges for the Future?

• Physical accommodation is good – range of services not so good

• Assessment of needs and matching accommodation and services is vital for success

• Delivery of services to meet diverse and complex needs is critical to sustain tenancies

• Services need to be based on the person and not the accommodation

• A range of services based on need required• Options for funding based on needs required

Future and Best use of Sheltered Housing

• The accommodation is a valuable asset• Stock is in good condition and can provide good

homes for older and vulnerable people• Can deliver Ageing in place and a Home for life• It is not the accommodation but the services

provided that will keep people in their home

Recipe for Success?• Effectively assess needs and match to provision;• Deliver services to suit the user, not the funder;• Person centred, not accommodation based;• Acknowledge not general needs but diverse

needs, ranging from low level to complex;• Not independent living but being supported to

live independently; • Flexibility – ‘one size fits all’ is not how we will

meet and provide for the needs of individuals.