Foundations Independent Living Trust :: What Are Home Improvement Agencies

What Are Home Improvement Agencies?

Home Improvement Agencies (HIAs) are small, locally based not for profit organisations. They help vulnerable homeowners and private sector tenants who are older, disabled or on low incomes to repair, improve, maintain or adapt their homes.

HIAs provide people-centred, cost-effective assistance to vulnerable people. They help them to tackle their poor or unsuitable housing, enabling them to remain in their own home, safe, secure, warm and independent.

Their core strength is their expertise and independence, and their sole focus on meeting the needs of their client group.

What do HIAs do?

Advice and advocacy: They help people identify what the real problems may be with their home and how these issues may be addressed. This includes a review of all housing options open to the client including advice on legal entitlements, welfare benefits, financial matters and other support services which the client may need.
Financial issues: For many people, the cost of most repairs or improvements will be covered by a grant from the local housing authority. However, even then the grant may not cover the full cost of all of the works. HIAs help people to access grants and other sources of income, including raising loans against the equity of their property. They ensure that people receive appropriate independent financial advice.
Technical issues: Many HIA clients are apprehensive about managing repairs or adaptations to their homes. HIAs offer guidance on what work is needed, and provide assurance that any repairs undertaken will be completed satisfactorily, to budget and on time. Jobs can range from very small, such as minor plumbing repairs, to major renovations, adaptations or extensions for a disabled person. The building work is specified, and competitive estimates are sought from good quality vetted contractors. The Agency’s technical staff oversee all the work in order to ensure that the finished result meets the needs and wants of the client.

In addition to these core activities, HIAs have also:

developed quick response, repair and adaptation teams to ease hospital discharge, carry out small repairs, install home security measures, provide gardening services, or painting and decorating services.
developed risk assessment and advice services on home safety, energy efficiency and routine home maintenance.

Why do we need Home Improvement Agencies?

The number of elderly people is growing rapidly and therefore the call on health and social care services is continually increasing. Most people wish to remain in their own homes wherever possible. The English Housing Condition Survey has also identified that older people, disabled people and people living on low incomes are more likely to be living in a home that is unfit for human habitation or in significant disrepair.

Helping someone to maintain their home, and adapt it to meet their changing needs, can have a broad impact, for example:

on the individual’s health, quality of life, security, and independence.
on the quality and viability of their neighbourhoods.
on the workload and expenditure of statutory and voluntary sector Health and Social Care services.

Home Improvement Agencies are, therefore, key contributors to national and local strategies in housing, health and social care. They have been innovative and creative in building partnerships and developing their services to work across the sectors. This includes local authority housing and grant officers, occupational therapists, health workers, social services and many others.

For example:

Housing: HIAs work in partnership with local housing authorities to target the most vulnerable older, disabled and low-income people living in the worst housing conditions, and provide them with advice and assistance to maintain, repair or adapt their homes to meet their needs.
Community care: HIAs enable older and disabled people to remain living independently in their own homes in greater comfort, security and safety.
Crime and safety: HIAs help people improve the safety and security of their homes.
Energy efficiency and affordable warmth: HIAs identify measures to improve energy efficiency and reduce fuel bills in the homes of the most vulnerable in the private sector.
Health: HIAs address cold, damp housing conditions, reduce the risk of accidents and contribute to hospital discharge planning.
Neighbourhood renewal: HIAs improve the poor housing of the most vulnerable people, helping to narrow the gap between the most deprived neighbourhoods and the more affluent areas.

How are they funded?

The majority of Home Improvement Agencies have charitable status. The Government contributes towards the cost of the management of Home Improvement Agencies, in recognition of their importance as a resource in providing support for vulnerable people.