SPACE FOR PEOPLE

The initiative was developed in the context of:

· National Housing and Homelessness policies in Wales
· The 2005 Disability Discrimination Act
· The Accessible Housing Working Party (Disability Wales)

Some key issues for the Project and Housing Providers are:

· One in six people in Wales experience disability
· An ageing population increases people experiencing disability
· The Disability Equality Duty and Public Services
· The barriers faced in meeting disabled people's housing needs
· An information and advice gap on disability housing and related issues

'Despite the fact that significant research in the past ten years has highlighted the seriousness of the problem of accessible housing, to date there has been no strategic approach taken by public agencies to address this problem'.

(Glasgow Disabled Persons Housing Service Business Plan 2004-07)

The key benefits for Disabled People and Housing Service Providers are:

· A Disabled Persons Housing Service could save on adaptations and health budgets and may reduce the time adapted properties are void (Cardiff Accessible Homes Project)
· Significant benefits in clear interfaces between a DPHS and service providers such as Care and Repair Agencies, Shelter Cymru advice services and local authority in-house grants agencies, being established from the start
· A Disabled Persons Housing Service to form a bridge between the housing and disability sectors
· A Disabled Persons Housing Service to help housing providers deliver disability equality policies and ensure they adhere to relevant legislation
· Disabled Persons Housing Services serve large city or are county-based populations, supporting the case for a regional approach in Wales.

The project, Space for People, works with disabled people, across all tenures. Established to operate within “Greater Gwent”, it presently covers Monmouthshire, Newport and Torfaen. Sponsorship for Space for People come from these three County Borough Councils, along side the Welsh Assembly and the Seren Group. The project is very new and its activities are being developed along the following lines.

Supporting Disabled Individuals;

through the provision of a “One-Stop-Shop”, advocacy, advice and signposting services. Some initiatives being developed are:

· Monthly Advice Centres where disabled people can meet with a Housing Advisor to discussing their housing and related issues
· Community and home visiting service to discuss the issues being faced in the day-to-day context
· Assistance with applications, negotiations and monitoring the housing and related services
· A register of disabled people looking for accommodation

Assisting Service Providers;

through the provision of training, information and development services. Some initiatives being developed are:

· Disability Equality Training for housing and related service providers, particularly regarding their responsibilities under the 2005 Disability Discrimination Act
· A register of houses, and other units of accommodation, with features of interest to disabled people
· Advice and support to enable housing and related service providers improve their services to the disabled community.

Mobilising the Disabled Community;

by working with and developing disabled people's organisation. Some initiatives being developed are:

· Training sessions concerning disabled peoples rights regarding housing and related services
· Capacity building to improve the organisations advocacy and negotiation skills
· Increased involvement in the planning, development and administration of housing and related services.

For further information please contact

Space for People,
Charter Housing Association,
11, Devon Place, Newport,
Gwent, NP20 4NP

Direct lines: 01633 678550/678559
Switchboard: 01633 212375 Ext 360/361
Fax Number: 01633 245930

Email: dphs@charterhousing.co.uk