1. How We Provide Housing Support
Community Advocate Shepway– Sarah Hudson
Deal Centre for the Retired Ltd

2. Our Services - Housing Information & Advice Community Advocacy
Deal Centre for the Retired Ltd

3. Information & Advice
Housing Options (remaining at home, moving in with family, sheltered accommodation, private renting, Kent Homechoice, residential care)
Benefit maximisation – Housing Benefit, Council Tax (incl. CT and disability reduction schemes) Warm Homes Discount
Care Assessment – referral to Social Services
Adaptations – referral to Care Navigator or East Kent Housing
Handyman services – referral local business/Family Mosaic
Safety & Security at home
Grants and funding for ongoing or one off purchases
Keeping in Touch Scheme (KIT calls)
Deal Centre for the Retired Ltd

4. Case Study – Client 1
Referred by concerned relative who did not believe C1 was coping in his current living situation financially
Outcomes:
Successful application for CT reduction, Housing Benefit reducing personal payments by 30%.
Activation of winter fuel payments, personal debt cancelled
Successful application for Attendance Allowance – cleaner
Referral to Family Mosaic to arrange adaptions to bathroom and living room
Deal Centre for the Retired Ltd

5. Community Advocacy Key areas of support Benefit appeals
Support in choosing housing options
Care assessment and placement decisions
Complaints – landlord, East Kent Housing, Social Services, care homes, neighbour disputes
Kent Homechoice bidding process
Ensuring requests upheld in residential and non residential situations
Financial – e.g. support with utility companies, care cost decisions
Deal Centre for the Retired Ltd

6. Case Study – Client 2 Referral by Age UK Folkestone
Landlord not fixed clients toilet for 6 weeks
Outcomes:
Toilet was fixed within 2 days following formal request
Upheld tenants right to be informed of landlord visits to property and reinstated use of garden and personal items
Instigated fair rents review and rent increase reimbursed
Successful AA application to support help at home
Client felt at ease in home and financially secure
Receives weekly KIT call
Deal Centre for the Retired Ltd

7. Questions?
Deal Centre for the Retired Ltd