A letter to the editor of Inside Housing from ERoSH’s director of policy Imogen Parry, which was published on Friday, February 5.
Dear editor,
A number of reports and reviews are promoting wider thinking about the role of sheltered and supported housing.
ERoSH, the national consortium for sheltered and retirement housing, like the NHF and other commentators, including Melinda Phillips (Inside Housing 8th January), all share a desire to provide the right level of support to older people in a way that meets their individual needs.
Whilst some people in sheltered housing require the extra peace of mind it offers, others have no need for support services and are simply there due to housing need.
Over the last few years there has been considerable debate around the respective merits of resident warden services compared to other forms of support services, including hub and spoke and floating support.
The High Court decision about the reform of warden services in Barnet and Portsmouth shows a need to consult properly and to reflect carefully on the needs of disabled people.
There are some excellent examples of innovation in supported and older peoples' housing many of which we hope to be highlighted in the three CLG funded guides to be launched on 29th January. In our view what is needed when these difficult issues are addressed is a mature and creative debate about how to balance the cost of the service, the needs of the individual, and the choices providers can deliver whilst ensuring full engagement of those affected in key decisions.
Yours faithfully
Imogen Parry, director of policy at ERoSH
