Address the longer waiting-list times for social housing experienced by households with a Catholic religion household reference person
Supporting rationale
We reiterate the importance of ensuring that housing need is met on the basis of objectively assessed need. Where stock availability (supply-side factors) differs from individual housing needs and preferences (demand-side factors), longer waiting lists can ensue. In Northern Ireland, this has a particular impact on households with a Catholic religion household reference person.
Analysis of access to social housing in Northern Ireland should take into account a range of factors which shape supply and demand. For example, generally applicable issues of residential preferences, personal safety, particular housing needs, and the availability of appropriate housing stock and/or development land in specific areas must also be considered in the context of segregated residential patterns in Northern Ireland.
On the supply-side, we recommend action to consider for example, how appropriate stock and land for development can be made available to ensure that objectively assessed housing need is more effectively met in areas of high demand. On the demand-side, steps which might both widen areas of preference for those in housing need and sharing more generally could serve to expand housing markets and increase opportunities to both meet objectively assessed housing need and advance increased sharing. We also recommend joint working, including with those working and living within communities, so as to further build trust and confidence between divided communities.
Ensure application of accessible housing standards to all new builds
We consider that more needs to be done to ensure that all new builds in private tenures comply with accessible standards, so as to better facilitate individuals to secure a home and remain in it. We note recognition within proposed government policy of the need to increase the provision of accessible homes. Over time, the universal application of accessible standards would significantly reduce the need for formal care services and costly home adaptations in the future.
The Lifetime Homes Standard uses a set of 16 design criteria to build homes that are inclusive, accessible and adaptable. It is complemented by wheelchair standard housing ‘the designs of which have been evolving to meet the needs of assisted wheelchair users and carers’. The 2013 Interdepartmental Review of Housing Adaptations Services states that ‘Lifetime homes standards have limitations when needs become more complex and therefore some people may require the use of purpose designed wheelchair dwellings.
Provide information regarding the availability of accessible accommodation
Accessible housing is most likely to be found within social housing. However, NIHE’s 2012 Audit of Inequalities notes ‘anecdotal evidence suggests that demand may be rising [within the private rented sector] as more people find themselves in inaccessible private rented property, either because of the shortage of social housing, or because they cannot afford / get a mortgage to purchase a property’.
We note and welcome that an interim accessible housing register for social housing is live and that a rolling programme is planned to increase its coverage including to housing association stock and private accommodation
Ensure the provision of easy to access and affordable adaptation services across all tenures - including by streamlining existing processes and reducing waiting times
A person with disabilities may require adaptations to their existing or prospective home. We note recognition within the draft departmental plans of the need to streamline the adaptations and disabled grants process to reduce waiting times. We consider that ensuring the availability of housing adaptations is essential, not least given the emphasis within government policy - particularly Transforming Your Care - on the delivery of social care within the home.
We recommend that support for adaptations should be available across tenures, and easy to access - in terms of using the service, speed of delivery, and cost. We welcome the NIHE’s 2018 commitment to ‘streamline the adaptations and disabled grants processes to reduce waiting times for housing adaptations…’.
We also recommend that action is taken to reduce waiting times for occupational therapy assessments in support of requests for housing adaptations.
Extend the Disability Discrimination Act to include reasonable adjustments to communal areas in residential properties
Extend the Disability Discrimination Act to include reasonable adjustments to communal areas in residential properties
Currently under the disability discrimination legislation, landlords and managers of rented residential premises must make reasonable adjustments to the disabled person’s home. In addition, they cannot unreasonably refuse permission for disability-related alterations to be carried out. Landlords however are not required to make disability-related alterations to the physical features of the common parts of let residential premises, such as stairs and hallways; even if they are reasonable to make and paid for by a disabled tenant.
We recommend that the disability discrimination legislation is extended to require landlords to make disability-related alterations to the physical features of the common parts of residential properties, such as stairs and hallways.
Ensure access to adequate, sustainable and long-term independent living provision for all people with disabilities for whom it is a viable housing option
Article 19 (the right to live independently) of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities makes clear that disabled people have the right to determining how to live their own lives, particularly with respect to personal decisions regarding their living arrangements, including with respect to personal care and support. We welcomed the 2017 draft PfG delivery plan acknowledgement of the need for cross cutting actions, including improving independent living and the provision of suitable homes for people with disabilities.
We recognise the importance of the Supporting People programme in supporting individuals to live independently. A 2016 action plan identified 13 recommendations following a review of the programme. We encourage their urgent implementation, particularly as regards how they address the barriers to independent living as set out above.
We note that proposals for changes to the adult social care system are still awaited.
We reiterate our recommendation to the 2013 consultation on the future of adult social care, that ‘any new social care model must ensure that disabled people are free to choose the type of assistance they require to support a good quality of life and prevent isolation and social hardship.’ We also reiterate the importance of ensuring that any transition to the mixed economy model of private and community / voluntary care providers will not result in a diminution of health and social care services in particular for marginalised and excluded groups such as disabled people, older people and carers.
Advance sharing in housing, while ensuring that objectively assessed housing need is met
Supporting rationale
We recommend detailed follow-up work to track the effectiveness of these actions, including to report on positive progress and/or identify key lessons.
In relation to detection, we repeat our recommendation, as per the 2010 Criminal Justice Inspectorate report, that there should be joined up data to track the progress of hate crimes through the criminal justice system. This would allow for better analysis of how such cases are dealt with and identify areas where remedial action is required.