to the PDF. - Family Advice and Information Resource

Housing Options
for people with learning disabilities
2015
Contents
Introduction
1
Living Alone or Living with Others
2
Types of Housing
3
Housing Support
8
Adaptations
10
Benefits
12
Introduction
This booklet gives information about housing and support for people with
learning disabilities and their carers in Edinburgh. This booklet has been
written for people with learning disabilities and their carers who want to find
out more about the different housing options.
It explains the different choices, how to go about getting housing and what
support people can get. There is also information about adaptations and
benefits.
Moving out of the family home is a major change and it is important that
everyone concerned has a chance to think about and plan the move properly
over time. It can take a while to find the right place to live and organise
support. If someone has to move due to death, illness or because a carer is
no longer able to cope, then the move may not be adequately planned, no
one will have time to get used to the idea and available choices are likely to
be fewer.
If you are planning on finding accommodation through the local authority, a
voluntary organisation or a charity, you will find that waiting lists are long. It is
a good idea to be registered as soon as possible.
1
Living Alone or Living with Others
It is important to think about whether you would be happier living alone or with
others. People often have strong views about whether they want to share with
others or would prefer their own accommodation and support.
Living on your own means that you have more choice and control over your
life. It also means that you do not have to share with people you do not get on
with. However, if people do choose to live alone it is important that they are
safe and have easy access to people and activities in the local community so
that they do not become isolated.
A core and cluster approach can also be used. People live in a house or a
group of flats, they can then share staff, or staff can be based in a core
building. People do not have to share facilities but can have access to
support at times of an emergency. The flats can also be adapted to include
telecare (using technology to monitor a person's well-being, and summon
help if required) which can maximise independence.
2
Types of Housing
This section gives an overview of all the different types of housing available to
people with learning disabilities in Edinburgh.
Renting
With the right support, many people with learning disabilities can have their
own tenancy. Increasing numbers of people are living in properties rented
from local authorities, registered social landlords and charitable and private
landlords.
Registered Social Landlords and Council Housing
To apply for housing with the local authority or a housing association you
need to register with Edindex. You can collect a form from any of the housing
associations or the local council neighbourhood office, or call the Edindex
Team on 0131 529 5080.
You can also download the form from:
http://keytochoice.scotsman.com/pdf/EdIndex_App_Form.pdf
Due to the limited amount of social housing in Edinburgh, if you do not have
priority status then you could be on the waiting list for years. It is worth getting
your name on the housing register as soon as possible, even if you do not
need or want to move immediately.
Once you have registered and received your EdIndex form you can then
make bids for properties advertised in ‘EH your Key to Choice’ available each
week at www.keytochoice.scotsman.com and in the Monday Edinburgh
Evening News. Free copies of the list are also available at local Council
Neighbourhood Offices, Housing Associations/Co-operative Offices and
Libraries.
You can bid for a maximum of 3 properties each week and can place your bid
by filling in the paper form on the back page of the supplement or
electronically via the website.
If you need help to complete an Edindex form or help to bid, call the Edindex
team on 0131 529 5080.
EdIndex can make a referral to the Housing Support Team for those with low
support needs.
Website: http://keytochoice.scotsman.com/
3
Private Landlords & Letting Agencies
Housing can be obtained from a private landlord. The City of Edinburgh
Council has a list of reputable letting companies that only have housing from
registered landlords. The advantage to renting from a private landlord is that
you will not have to wait for housing and there is more choice about where
you live. However there are some disadvantages.
Private lets often have short term leases of 6 months, depending on the
landlord or letting agency. These leases can be renewed. However the
landlord can ask for the property back at the end of each lease. Private
renting is much more expensive and housing benefit may not cover the entire
cost.
You can get more information on private landlords from the Housing Options
Team at the City of Edinburgh Council and the Edinburgh Private Tenants
Action Group:
Edinburgh Private Tenants Action Group:
Room 4.30,
St Margaret's House,
151 London Road,
EH7 6AE
Email: info@eptag.org.uk
Website: http://eptag.org.uk/
4
Housing Advice and Information
Edinburgh Housing Advice Partnership (EHAP)
EHAP gives free and confidential housing advice, information, education and
representation to Edinburgh tenants and owner-occupiers.
Ediburgh Housing Advice Partnership
1st Floor,
ELS House
555 Gorgie Road
Edinburgh
EH11 3LE
Tel: 0845 302 4607
Website: www.ehap.org.uk/
Shelter Scotland
4th floor Scotiabank House
6 South Charlotte Street
Edinburgh
EH24AW
Advice Helpline: 0808 800 4444
Website: scotland.shelter.org.uk/get_advice
If you rent privately then you will need to organise housing support through
your social worker, or contact housing support agencies yourself. A list of all
support providers in Edinburgh is on the FAIR website:
www.fairadvice.org.uk/information-and-advice.php
5
Owning your own home
Some people may be able to become home owners. There are a number of
options to owning your own home. This section tells you about some of the
options. However to find out about each option in detail you should contact
Housing Options Scotland.
Housing Options Scotland
The Melting Pot
5 Rose Street
Edinburgh EH2 2PR
Tel: 0131 247 1400
Email: info@housingoptionsscotland.org.uk
Website: www.housingoptionsscotland.org.uk
Housing Options Scotland will ask you to complete a basic information form.
You can do this online at:
www.housingoptionsscotland.org.uk/get-help/
If you prefer they can email you a form, or send it to you by post. If you
require the form in an alternative format you have to let them know. Once
they receive your form they will send you a report with all your housing
options. It normally takes 3 weeks to receive this report. You will then be
allocated a caseworker who will work with you to help make your preferred
option a reality.
Inheriting a house
Property can be inherited from parents or other family members. This does
not require the inheritor to have legal capacity, i.e. sufficient understanding of
the obligations they are entering into.
Parents can also purchase all or part of a property for their child.
They can also set up a discretionary trust when they are alive or instruct this
to happen in their will. This will ensure funds are used to improve a person’s
life without effecting their entitlement to benefits and community care
services.
6
Shared Equity
Shared equity is a way to buy a home from a registered social landlord
without having to pay for all of it. When you buy a shared equity home from a
housing association you pay for most of it and the Scottish Government pays
the rest.
You can find out what social registered landlords are building as new shared
ownership properties from the Scottish Government website on:
www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/BuiltEnvironment/Housing/BuyingSelling/lift/Sharedownershipeastregion
Supported Housing
Housing Associations, The City of Edinburgh Council and some voluntary
organisations can provide supported housing in group homes, shared and
single tenancies. You can sometimes apply to these organisations directly but
some may ask for an application to be made by a social worker. Funding for
this type of accommodation comes from the Department of health and social
care and requires an application for funding to be made by a social worker
once an assessment has been made.
Registered Care Homes
A registered care home is a home for people who need a lot of support.
Registered care homes cater for small numbers though some might house up
to ten people. People have their own room and share the lounge, kitchen and
bathrooms with others. They generally provide full board and personal care,
and there is usually 24 hour staffing cover, which may include a staff member
sleeping at the home overnight.
Registered home owners and/or managers are checked to make sure they
are suitable. The home will be checked regularly. Larger homes are inspected
twice a year and smaller homes (with less residents), usually less often.
Registered care homes are run by the local authority, voluntary and private
organisations. FAIR’s website has a list of all registered care homes in
Edinburgh. You can download it from:
Website: www.fairadvice.org.uk/information-and-advice.php
If you are interested in a place at a registered care home you should contact
your social worker if you have one, or call Social Care Direct on
0131 200 2324 to make a referral for adults, or 0131 200 2327 for children
and families.
7
Shared Lives
Shared Lives is a model where a person with support needs lives in another
person’s home and gets support and accommodation from them. Sometimes
it is with a family, but also may be with a single home owner. It is not possible
to create security of tenure for people in such settings.
For more information, call Social Care Direct on 0131 200 2324 and they will
put you in touch with the Shared Lives Team.
8
Housing Support
Housing and support can be provided as a “package” but special
arrangements can be made to suit a person’s needs.
If the person who you care for has a social worker then this would be the first
person you would contact about housing and housing support. Funding for
places in residential care homes and supported housing comes from the
department of health and social care. The social worker will need to make an
assessment of need and then make an application for funding.
People with low support needs may be able to access housing support from
the local authority housing department.
For a list of all Housing Support providers visit the FAIR website at:
www.fairadvice.org.uk/information-and-advice.php
9
Adaptations
Some people might need to make adaptations to their home for mobility of
health reasons. If you rent your home from the City of Edinburgh Council or a
Housing Association you need to speak to your Housing Officer about
adaptations to make the property.
For private properties City of Edinburgh Council provide grants for some
adaptations. The grant can cover 80% to 100% of the cost depending on the
person’s financial circumstances. Those claiming some benefits would
receive a grant that covered all the costs.
To apply for a grant, first you have to contact Social Care Direct on
0131 200 2324 and ask for an assessment. An occupational therapist will
then arrange to meet you at home and make an assessment on what
adaptations you would need. If the adaptations can be grant aided the
occupational therapist will contact the City of Edinburgh Council
The City of Edinburgh Council can also provide advice, information and
grants for adapting homes.
To find out if you qualify, call Social Care Direct on 0131 200 2324
or go to:
http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/info/20057/housing_support_and_advice/4
35/adapting_your_home
If you rent your home from a private landlord, you will need to ask their
permission to make adaptations. However, your landlord cannot refuse
consent unreasonably.
10
Community Equipment Service
Edinburgh has a Community Equipment Service. It provides a range of aids
and simple adaptations designed to help you around the home, such as
pickup reachers, dressing sticks and grabrails. You can request these items
free of charge and without being assessed by a health or social care
professional.
This service is intended for use by adults. If equipment is required for
someone under 16, please contact Social Care Direct or your GP.
If you live in Edinburgh you can search a directory of aids and simple
adaptations and request the items you need, at:
www.edinburgh.gov.uk/directory/15/equipment_to_help_you_live_at_ho
me
The catalogue is available as a booklet in GP surgeries and hospitals. You
can also ask the Community Equipment Service or Social Care Direct to send
it to you.
Community Equipment Service
42 King’s Haugh
Edinburgh EH16 5UY
Tel: 0131 529 6300
Email: communityequipment@edinburgh.gov.uk
If you are looking for equipment such as a wheelchair, zimmer frame or a
similar substantial item, this will require a professional assessment. You can
contact Social Care Direct by calling 0131 200 2324 for adults, or 0131 200
2327 for children, for advice or to arrange this, or contact your GP.
If you are leaving hospital, the hospital social worker will assess your needs
and arrange the equipment you need to make living at home easier.
If you need to borrow equipment to enable you to go on holiday or stay with
friends or family, the Red Cross have a short term loan service for items such
as wheelchairs, bath seats and walking frames.
You can contact Red Cross on 01506 650 754 or by going to:
www.redcross.org.uk/Where-we-work/In-the-UK/Scotland/EastScotland/LocalServices/Mobility-aids
11
Benefits
If you rent your home
you can apply for Housing
Benefit and Council Tax
benefit. If you own your home
you can apply for Council Tax
benefit but not Housing benefit.
You may be able to receive help to
cover your mortgage interest costs if
you are on certain benefits.
The amount of Housing Benefit and or Council Tax Benefit you receive
depends on your income. If you are entitled to Income Related Employment
and Support Allowance, Income Support or Income based Job Seekers
Allowance you will be passported on to full entitlement to Housing Benefit and
Council Tax Benefit.
To make a claim for Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit you need to
contact the City of Edinburgh Council:
The City of Edinburgh Council Income and Benefits Division
PO Box 12331, Edinburgh EH7 9DN
Tel: 0131 469 5000
Email: incomeandbenefits@edinburgh.gov.uk
You can also make a claim in person. All the Neighbourhood Offices run an
appointment system. Please phone to make an appointment before visiting
your local office. You can find your local office by going to:
http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/info/20005/council_tax/92/ways_to_contac
t_us
You can also visit the office at 249 High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1YJ
Opening times are:
Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 8.30am to 4.30pm
Tuesday 10am - 4.30pm
Friday 8.30am - 3pm
No appointments are needed to visit the High Street office, but you are likely
to wait less time to be seen if you visit before 11.30am.
If you require information or advice regarding benefits please contact FAIR on
0131 662 1962.
12
printed & published by
Family Advice & Information Resource
95 Causewayside
Edinburgh
EH9 1QG
Tel 0131 662 1962
Fax 0131 662 9486
Email fair@fairadvice.org.uk
Website: www.fairadvice.org.uk
Information for People with Learning Disabilities and Carers
FAIR is an information and advice service for people with learning
disabilities, parents, carers and people who work for them.
The service we offer is:
Independent
We are not part of any other organisation.
Confidential
Anything you tell us will stay private.
Free
You do not pay for any of our services.
© FAIR Ltd 2015
a Charitable Company limited by Guarantee
Registered in Scotland No 135696
Registered Scottish Charity No SC002280