Although not typically associated with care in the community, housing services are, in fact, a vital component of the policy. Suitable housing provides a stable base for independent living and affords access to other services such as health and social care, education and training. Currently, at least 1.3 million tenants and owner-occupiers benefit from housing related community care services, at an annual cost to the public purse of more than £2 billion. And yet the scale and importance of housing's role in community care has not received the same recognition as the contribution of health and social services authorities.
This report examines the performance of housing agencies in identifying current and future need for social housing; adapting properties to sustain independent living; providing vulnerable clients with personal support; offering places in 'special needs' projects as appropriate; and co-ordinating efforts with social services and others to achieve the 'seamless' service needed by clients. In future, all of these activities will be viewed within the framework of the Best Value regime, which requires councils to demonstrate that they are striving for, and delivering, continuous improvements in performance. The report also examines the national framework of funding mechanisms and policy guidance.