Housing Services Newport City Council

Housing Registers in Newport Newport City Council transferred its stock in March The Housing Management Computer system also transferred which included the waiting list. The Anite system was then due for replacement. There are 9 registered social landlords with stock within the City and all had their own waiting lists and allocation policies. Newport allocated capital funds for the acquisition of a new system. Choice based letting had been used for some time by the City Council. Accessibility had been an issue that the Council and partner RSL’s had worked together on for some time, co ordinated by Emma.

Adapted/Accessible Housing Considerable work had been done:  Advocacy on behalf of applicants particularly successful…BUT  The issue of where were the properties still remained;  Details on applications often didn’t help allocation process;  Need for OT assessments.;  Concerns that opportunities to build new homes would decrease as grant levels decreased, reduction from £11m in 2008 to only £4m in 2012; and  The system was heavily reliant on people making decisions on behalf of others.

Common Housing Register Working group comprised of applicants, new tenants and existing tenants. Clear message that an all inclusive register would be fair and transparent. A common allocations policy was essential. Working group were part of tender process. Had major input into layout of web site.

Home Options Newport

Property Adverts

Adapted Need This is work Emma began and has been incorporated into the new system. ADAPTED NEED LEVEL 1:SUITABLE FOR (current & future needs):  Purpose built or adapted property  Meets wheelchair housing standards or is Level access into and throughout  Wheelchair access to essential facilities  Has mobile/ceiling track hoists or could be installed  Suitable for through floor lift if 2-storey if required/relevant  Large/spacious room sizes  Independent in/outdoor self-propelling wheelchair  Independent in/outdoor electric wheelchair  Dependent in/outdoor attendant propelled wheelchair  Larger/non-standard wheelchairs  Large equipment – mobile hoist, tilt table, tilt-in-space shower-chair  Complex needs, progressive conditions, bariatric ADAPTED NEED LEVEL 2SUITABLE FOR (current & future needs):  External level access – suitable for wheelchair  Not wheelchair accessible internally  Suitable for wheeled walking frames  Level access shower or suitable for installation  Stairlift or suitable for installation  Ambulant but with difficulty  Unlikely to require internal wheelchair access in the future  Difficulties with steps/stairs  Difficulties with bathing ADAPTED NEED LEVEL 3SUITABLE FOR (current & future needs):  Not wheelchair accessible, or potential for  Max 4 steps to property with railing  Level access shower or suitable for installation  Stairlift or suitable for installation  Ambulant with some difficulty  Able to manage external steps  Unlikely to require wheelchair in the future  May have current/future difficulty with bath  May have current/future difficulty with stairs NOT ACCESSIBLEBUT GROUND FLOORSUITABLE FOR ALL GENERAL APPLICANTS

Home Options Newport Provides a single point of access for all affordable accommodation within the city. All accommodation which becomes available is advertised on this web site every week. Applicants can then “bid” or express an interest in a property either on line, by text or by telephone. Advocates, carers or family members can bid on behalf of an applicant, or the system can also auto bid on their behalf as well. Ensuring people register on the common housing register for accommodation will mean that we are able to get a clear idea of current and future housing needs.

Home Options Newport On-going reviews of both accommodation and support services will ensure that accommodation provided is suitable for purpose and residents are receiving the support they need. Providing new properties by working in partnership with housing associations once the needs have been identified. Ensuring that potential applicants, their families and health care professionals are fully aware of the need to register for accommodation, and understand the housing options that are available to them. Not perfect yet, but we are trying to achieve a system where people feel more empowered, which is fair and equitable and makes the best efficient use of all of the housing we have now and will develop in the future.

Housing Services Newport City Council Sally Davies Housing Strategy & Development