Accessible Housing and Welfare Reform Shayne Hembrow

Welfare reform - context Fundamental change to the culture of welfare benefit receipt No distinction – everyone treated the same

Bedroom Tax/Spare room subsidy Calculation of HB for social housing to be the same as for all housing: Children share (some exceptions – disabled child who cannot share a room) No allowance for disability only a non-resident overnight carer It will only affect working age people (anyone who was born after 1st October 1951 at present) HB reduced by on average of £12 per week Increase in amount of money for discretionary housing payments for two years – 2013 up from £3.5 to £9 million

Bedroom Tax Impact 35,000 U/O (20% adapted)

DLA to PIP Transition from June to early 2015 Lower component for care removed Assessment led - -face to face medical Receipt of DLA is important for many other benefits

What have we done Whole organisation response Face to face contact Extra specialist staff Help to manage budgets/get extra support

The story so far People are choosing to stay and pay Most (all?) can ‘afford’ to make up the shortfall Few DHP awards as failing the affordability test – postcode lottery Loss of DLA will have an impact Morale issue of use of disability related benefits to pay housing costs Early indications that some are struggling Barriers to further adaptations as residents transfer

The rest of the story Not all counties have AHR Competing priorities - homelessness More to consider when matching adapted homes Adaptations and needs Affordability Under occupation Limited time….applicants are choosing homes they do not under occupy (or prevented)

Where next Securing victory in the pending court cases Shifting the assessment of DHP to reflect costs for disabled households Continuing commitment to adaptations if people down size