Tag: Peter Aldous

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Peter Aldous on 2016-04-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of the potential benefits of supported housing in helping the transition of war veterans back to civilian life.

Mark Lancaster

Ministry of Defence (MOD) housing supports serving members of the Armed Forces and their families. Given the mobility of our people, and the sometimes sudden changes in their needs, we keep a margin of unoccupied properties available. Where housing is no longer needed, it is MOD policy to release it. The vast majority of veterans make a successful transition to civilian life and we have in place a range of support including for those who find it difficult to find accommodation. This includes the allocation of £40 million to a Veterans Accommodation Fund. The MOD has also gifted land for new veterans housing in the past; Mike Jackson House in Aldershot and The Beacon in Catterick

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Peter Aldous on 2016-04-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment his Department has made of the potential benefits of supported housing in helping people with acute mental illnesses recover and live independently.

Alistair Burt

The Department has made no formal assessment of the potential benefits of supported housing in helping older people with support needs and those living with acute mental illness to live independently. However, the Department’s work in this area is underpinned by a variety of evidence – including a report commissioned by the Homes and Communities Agency, Financial benefits of investment in specialist housing for vulnerable and older people (2010), which provides a useful overview. This is based on a review of literature, and is split by different client groups including older people and those living with a mental health condition.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Peter Aldous on 2016-04-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment his Department has made of the potential benefits of supported housing in helping older people with support needs to live independently and stay out of hospital.

Alistair Burt

The Department has made no formal assessment of the potential benefits of supported housing in helping older people with support needs and those living with acute mental illness to live independently. However, the Department’s work in this area is underpinned by a variety of evidence – including a report commissioned by the Homes and Communities Agency, Financial benefits of investment in specialist housing for vulnerable and older people (2010), which provides a useful overview. This is based on a review of literature, and is split by different client groups including older people and those living with a mental health condition.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Peter Aldous on 2016-04-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment his Department has made of the potential benefits of supported housing in helping to rehabilitate ex-offenders by providing them with stable accommodation and helping them find work.

Andrew Selous

Ensuring ex-offenders have suitable, stable accommodation and employment is vitally important in helping to break the cycle of reoffending.

In recognition of the importance of suitable accommodation, the ability to source accommodation is one of the measures against which Community Rehabilitation Companies are assessed.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Peter Aldous on 2016-04-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what assessment his Department has made of the potential benefits of supported housing in helping people who are fleeing domestic abuse.

Mr Marcus Jones

We understand the importance of ensuring that those people living in supported accommodation, including refuges, who are generally the most vulnerable members of our society, receive appropriate protections.

Domestic Abuse is a devastating crime and the Government is determined to ensure that no victim is turned away from the support they need. The Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy set out our ambition to improve services for women suffering from domestic abuse, committing to a new Statement of Expectations to set out for the first time what we expect from local areas. To support this, we are launching a new two year fund for refuges and other forms of accommodation based support and to help local areas take the steps they need to meet the National Statement.

We have commissioned an evidence review of the supported housing sector which we expect to report shortly.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Peter Aldous on 2016-04-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when he plans to make a decision on how supported housing will be funded when universal credit is introduced.

Justin Tomlinson

The Department for Work and Pensions jointly with the Department for Communities and Local Government commissioned an evidence review of the shape, scale and cost of the supported housing sector.

Off the back of this evidence, we will conduct a policy review to ensure support is focused on the most vulnerable and the appropriate groups are safeguarded.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Peter Aldous on 2016-04-14.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what discussions he has had with other Government departments on how supported housing will be funded under universal credit.

Justin Tomlinson

The Department is working jointly with the Department for Communities and Local Government to develop a workable and sustainable funding solution for Supported Housing. An evidence review is underway which will inform a subsequent policy review, in consultation with all relevant stakeholders, including Government Departments and devolved administrations.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Peter Aldous on 2016-06-13.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an estimate of the effect on the public purse of the effects on the life chances of residents of the services and support provided through supported housing; and if he will make a statement.

Damian Hinds

The Treasury has made no formal estimate of the impact on the public finances resulting from the effects of supported housing provision on the life chances of residents. However, analysis of the financial benefits of capital investment in specialist housing has previously been commissioned by the Homes and Communities Agency: Financial benefits of investment in specialist housing for vulnerable and older people (2010). This includes analysis of the impact of capital funding for specialist housing on the usage and associated costs of wider public services, including primary and secondary healthcare, social care, the criminal justice system, and the benefits system.

The Department for Work and Pensions and Department for Communities and Local Government are currently conducting an evidence review of the supported housing sector, which will report shortly.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Peter Aldous on 2016-09-06.

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what recent discussions he has had with supported housing providers on future funding for that sector; and when the Government plans to announce the outcome of its review on the funding of that sector.

Gavin Barwell

My Department has had extensive discussions over the last few months with commissioners, providers and representatives of supported housing tenants.

The Government will make an announcement in the autumn setting out its plans for the future funding arrangements for the supported housing sector.

It will also set out our plans for working with the sector and other key stakeholders to ensure the safe transition to the new model.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Peter Aldous on 2016-09-06.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when the Government plans to announce the outcome of its review into future funding for supported housing; and if he will make a statement.

Caroline Nokes

The Secretary of State has confirmed that the Government expects to make an announcement on the way forward for supported housing in early autumn.