Part 1
REPORT OF THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF HOUSING AND PLANNING
TO THE LEAD MEMBER FOR HOUSING
FOR FORMAL LEAD MEMBER THURSDAY 6TH DECEMBER 2007
TITLE: The Wheelchair Accessible Bungalows
RECOMMENDATIONS:
That Lead Member for Housing is recommended to:
1.
Note the successful completion and handover of the 8 Wheelchair Accessible
Bungalows in Irlam and Cadishead.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
In order to meet a clearly identified housing need and contribute to achieving
the Council’s strategic housing priority of enabling independent living, St.
Vincent’s Housing Association with the support of Housing and Planning,
secured £620,332 funding from the Housing Corporation with a total scheme
cost of £1.1 million, and through successful partnership working delivered 8
specially adapted bungalows for families with a wheelchair user in the Irlam
and Cadishead area.
This report asks the Lead Member for Housing to note the successful
completion of the scheme.
BACKGROUND DOCUMENTS:
Property and Development and Housing Strategy Report to Resource Planning
Group November 2004
Briefing Note to Lead Member for Housing , Property and Development Services
December 2004
Briefing Note to Lead Member for Housing , Property and Development Services
November 2005
Briefing Note to Lead Member for Housing , Property and Development Services
January 2006
ASSESSMENT OF RISK:
Low.
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Housing Corporation
St Vincent’s Housing Association
Disabled Facilities Grant
LEGAL IMPLICATIONS:
Contact Officer and Extension No: Russ Nutter 2321
Comments:
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
Contact Officer and Extension No:
Comments:
The project brought inward investment for the city of £1.1 million as follows:
Housing Corporation:
St Vincent’s Housing Association :
£ 605,370
£ 494,630
COMMUNICATION IMPLICATIONS:
Following the official launch an article appeared in the Salford Advertiser praising the
scheme.
VALUE FOR MONEY IMPLICATIONS:
The scheme has delivered eight wheelchair accessible bungalows, eradicated three
derelict sites, reduced anti social behaviour in the locale of the schemes and given a
local unemployed person the opportunity of several months work and training.
The development of the project has been a learning curve, with important lessons
learnt regarding the provision from the start of sufficient budgets for the adaptations.
These lessons would be applied to future projects and would safeguard their delivery.
CLIENT IMPLICATIONS:
The City Council has developed knowledge of providing purpose built housing for this
particular client group and working with partners to deliver a scheme with a positive
impact.
PROPERTY:
The City Council disposed of three ex garage sites through sale to St. Vincent’s
Housing Association enabling inward investment of £1.1 million.
HUMAN RESOURCES:
The workload associated with delivering the proposed project with the partner RSL
will be reflected within the Commissioning and Projects Team work plan.
CONTACT OFFICER:
Rhys Wynne
Extension No: 2864
WARD(S) TO WHICH REPORT RELATE(S): Irlam and Cadishead
KEY COUNCIL POLICIES: Housing Strategy 2004 – 2006
Supporting People 2005 - 2010
DETAILS:
1. Background
1.1
The Supporting People 5 Year Strategy commits to the provision of a wide
variety of wheelchair accessible services in a variety of settings to maximise
independence.
1.2
St. Vincent's Housing Association secured , with the support of Housing
Services, £620,332 funding from the Housing Corporation to build eight
specially adapted bungalows for families with a wheelchair user in the Irlam
and Cadishead area.
1.3
Following an extensive search by St. Vincent's Housing Association and
Property Services, three suitable sites were found. Hamilton Avenue and
Sussex Road in Cadishead and the Crescent in Irlam. These were derelict exgarage sites and had become a target for anti social behaviour.
1.4
St. Vincent's Housing Association and Occupational Therapists then identified
families in need of this accommodation who were from the Cadishead and
Irlam area. The Occupational Therapists worked with the residents to
determine what adaptations the resident would need.
1.5
The program was delivered, with the only serious delay being caused by the
wait for the utility companies to put in services to the scheme. Specialist
contractors installed the adaptations. Throughout the process the
Commissioning and Projects Team gave a strategic lead to the partnership
and
formed a link between the partners and the Local Authorities
departments.
2. Conclusion
2.1
This was a very successful scheme with a significant impact upon the quality
of life of the eight families involved, a reduction in anti social behaviour
suffered by the residents whose houses bordered the sites and positive
media interest created.
2.2
The development could act as a model for similar schemes throughout the
city.
Bob Osborne
Deputy Director of Housing and Planning
Appendix 1
Case Study
Until moving into her new specially adapted bungalow, Ms X used to live in a
3 bed house a few streets away with her Mother and Father. The house had
no adaptations, except a platform lift, which meant that Ms X had to be helped
out of bed by her Mother, and lifted into her wheelchair. She needed
assistance to get into the shower and supervision whilst using it.
As an independent working woman in her 30’s this was a humiliating ordeal,
and also was a constant physical strain upon her mother.
Unable to tackle the stairs, Ms. X used a platform lift which was a slow and
undignified reminder of the challenges she faced just to move around her
house.
Now Ms X is able to get out of her bed, transfer herself to her wheelchair,
transport herself to the shower room and wash herself unassisted, thanks to
the design of the bungalow and the adaptations provided.
Ms X is able to move around any area of the bungalow by herself and have
full use of the kitchen thanks to the specially adapted units and equipment.
Ms X was also enthusiastic about the spacious carports provided with each
property. Manoeuvring herself in or out of a car can take a significant amount
of time and this used to result in her getting soaked if it was raining. If this was
on the way to work then she would often have to remain in wet clothes for the
rest of the day. The carport now enables her to stay dry and affords her
privacy whilst she does this.
She was delighted with the bungalow and said it had made a massive
difference to her life.
Appendix 2
Salford Advertiser Article