Tag: Houding

Improving housing rights for disabled people

Legislation will make housing more accessible

 

New regulations will improve equality for people living with disabilities by giving them the right to make communal areas around their home more accessible.

Disabled people will be given the right to remove barriers to access by creating ramps, widening paths and installing hand rails in common areas, with the support of a majority of neighbours.

Under current legislation, a disabled person is unable to make minor accessibility changes to shared areas unless all owners give their consent.

The new regulations will also empower disabled people to challenge others from unreasonably withholding consent to make basic adaptations.

Housing Minister Kevin Stewart said: “A home with the right support in the right place enables disabled people to live safely and independently, offering a sense of security and improving physical and mental wellbeing.

“This new legislation will widen equality for people living with a disability in Scotland by giving them the right to improve accessibility in shared areas at their home and challenge others from unreasonably withholding consent.

“A first in the UK, this will help achieve a fairer Scotland where disabled people have more equality and the choice, dignity and freedom to access suitable housing and live independently.”

Moira Bayne of charity Housing Options Scotland said: “Many Housing Options Scotland clients will be delighted by the introduction of this new legislation. The removal of the requirement to have the consent of all sharing owners will make a huge difference to the lives of disabled people.”

 

 

 

 

Port of Leith’s excellent inspection

Port of Leith Housing Association receives glowing praise from Care Inspectorate 

Port of Leith Housing Association’s (PoLHA) sheltered housing complexes have been classified as ‘excellent’ by the Care Inspectorate for the quality of care and support to their 131 residents.

Findings from the Care Inspection report issued this week revealed that the sheltered housing complexes in the Leith area of Edinburgh – Hermitage Court, St Nicholas Court and Jameson Place – were awarded a grade six (excellent) for ensuringthat residents’ health and wellbeing needs are well catered for. Helping people stay well in their tenancy is a priority for staff and the benefits of an active and healthy lifestyle were recognised through exercise classes, coffee mornings and charity fundraising events.

Following a ‘short notice’ inspection, follow on visits and attendance at tenants’ meetings over a four week period, a series of service records, including evidence of activities and social events, newsletters and supervision and development, were sampled to enable the inspector to review the work being done and deliver a grade.

In addition, 40 per cent of tenants were issued care standards questionnaires. Of the 29 completed questionnaires, 100 per cent were happy with the quality of support they received.

Keith Anderson, Chief Executive of PoLHA, said: “This is a tremendous achievement.  We are delighted to have been awarded a grade six for the level of care and services our staff provide. We are committed to delivering  the best possible care for our residents and the staff do a wonderful job in ensuring their needs are met are at all times.”

The Association was also awarded a grade five (very good) for the quality of staffing, management and leadership.

Maureen Tait, PoLHA’sSenior Sheltered Housing Co-ordinator, said: “We’re delighted to have been recognised for our efforts. We strive to make our tenants feel comfortable and ‘at home’ while they stay with us. Many residents still like to have their own independence, but also be part of a close-knit team, which is why they enjoy getting on board with our fundraising activities.”

PoLHA