Meeting documents

For Members to consider the attached report.

Contact Officer:          Neil Green - 01296 585160

The Environment and Living Scrutiny Committee received a report which updated the Private Sector Housing Regeneration Policy with the launch of a new ‘Healthy Homes on Prescription Grant’. The report also contained a change to the Discretionary Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) which would align AVDC’s housing assistance measures with the other Buckinghamshire District Authorities.

The last census in 2011 reported 68,000 people in Buckinghamshire had limiting long term illness or disability which was an increase of 12.4% since the last census. In addition, the Director of Public Health for Buckinghamshire Annual Report 2012/13 noted that the aging population and those living with long term illness and disability would increase. Health and housing were linked as those living in poor quality housing were more likely to be afflicted with poor health compared to those living in good quality housing. Poorer quality housing was more likely to have the issues such as damp/mould, overcrowding and poor heating. In turn, these factors meant that the occupants were more likely to suffer heart disease, stroke, respiratory disease and mental illness, as well as an increased risk of mortality. Overcrowding also encouraged the spread of medical illness such as tuberculosis. Tackling these causal issues at the source would be better for patient care and prove more cost effective for the NHS.

Enforcement officers at AVDC were already trained to identify hazards when inspecting houses under the House Health and Safety Rating System. It was expected that referrals for the Health Homes on Prescription Grant would require an officer visit to identify hazards and the required measures to rectify them. The maximum amount available to applicants was £5,000 per referral.

The Committee sought more information and were advised:-

      i.        Referrals for Healthy Homes on Prescription Grants would be received through health/medical professionals. Some referrals would originate from GPs as they may be able to identify illnesses being caused by poor quality housing. An officer would then inspect the home and make improvement recommendations. As well as GPs, referrals to the service would come from clinics, occupational therapists or other health/medical professionals.

     ii.        There was a ‘Housing Health Cost Calculator’ which worked out the savings that house modification generated for the NHS and wider public purse depending on the hazard resolved. For instance, a chairlift installation had the potential to save a resident from a trip or fall which would otherwise have resulted in a GP visit or an admission to hospital.

    iii.        Healthy Homes on Prescription Grants were available in the private rented sector however where hazards are identified it would be the responsibility of the landlord to carry out the repairs. A lack of response from the landlord may result in enforcement action. Where the Healthy Homes on Prescription Grant was appropriate, there would need to be additional assurances that the applicant stayed in residence at the property after work completion.  

   iv.        There was a backlog in referrals from the BCC occupational health service last year which had delayed grant applications but now this was cleared. The number of referrals coming into the service was currently steady.

    v.        The service referred applicants to relevant charities and other organisations, such as National Energy Foundation, if it was felt they could assist.

   vi.        There were around 120 long term empty homes in Aylesbury Vale (long term being over 12 months) which was relatively low compared to the national average. More information would be available to Members when the Empty Home Policy comes to Scrutiny in September 2018.

  vii.        Undertaking a private housing condition survey would be an expensive exercise and the other Districts had not shown interest in sharing these costs with AVDC. There was the possibility of undertaking a survey in specific areas associated with deprivation and targeting areas with high turnover. The results from any survey would then inform policy and potentially identify a stock of dwellings that may need improvement advice.

 viii.        In October 2018 the definition of a House of Multiple Occupancy (HMO) would change to a dwelling with five or more people from two or more households. In Aylesbury Vale, these properties were already licensable under the Additional HMO Licensing scheme.

The Committee suggested that housing condition data could be collected through questionnaires for residents and liaison with Town Councils, and felt it should be an ongoing process rather than top-down. Members also felt that any potential savings to the NHS generated by the Healthy Homes on Prescription Grant should be publicised.

RESOLVED –

That the report be noted and the Committee’s comments be considered by the Cabinet Member prior to the scheme’s approval.