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In the early-1980s, the ten million people of retirement age in the
UK figured prominently among the disadvantaged and deprived. They
were heavily over-represented in sub-standard housing and among
those in most need of support from the personal social services.
One form of social provision which gained rapidly in popularity in
the 1960s and 1970s was sheltered housing. It was seen to combine
housing with care; provided support while fostering independence;
and gave scope for flexibility and experimentation in adapting
schemes to local circumstances. By the late 1970s hundreds of
schemes were administered, and they were occupied by half a million
elderly tenants. Sheltered housing was called ‘the greatest
breakthrough in the housing scene since the war’. Extravagant
expectations were aroused, and sheltered housing was regarded by
some as the solution to all manner of complex problems. Taking the
country as a whole, however, relatively little was known about the
numbers of schemes and where they were located; who owned them and
how they were managed; the aims and assumptions of those who
provided or advocated sheltered housing; how the schemes functioned
and whether they achieved what they were set up to do; the role,
experience and attitudes of wardens; what kinds of people lived in
sheltered housing, their history, and how they became tenants;
their assessment of the scheme; and much else. The Leeds study, on
which this book is based, originally published in 1983, was the
most comprehensive and detailed to have been conducted into
sheltered housing. It evoked widespread interest in Britain and
abroad at the time. It sought to answer some of the important
questions about the growth and proliferation of sheltered housing,
to evaluate sheltered housing from different points of view –
including those of tenants, and to consider the scope for future
development. While sheltered housing is the focal topic of the book
it should be viewed in the broader context of social policy,
administration, professional practice and client experience. The
book describes in detail an innovatory and evolving form of social
provision and, in doing so, illuminates the operation and impact of
policy in action at several levels – from the policy-maker to the
consumer, from the organisation of policy to its object. There was
significant evidence from the study that many tenants were provided
with a service which was not the one they sought, or even needed,
but they were given what the agency happened to have – or made
– available. Among other topics, the book examines sheltered
housing as a response to, or reflection of, myths and prejudices
about ageing. It discusses whether elderly people should be
compelled to move from familiar surroundings late in life – and
how they cope when they do move. The usefulness or otherwise of
alarm systems is assessed – with conclusions that throw
considerable doubt on their value or reliability. The evolution and
modifications taking place in sheltered housing are reported on and
the scope for future initiatives is discussed.
In the early-1980s, the ten million people of retirement age in the
UK figured prominently among the disadvantaged and deprived. They
were heavily over-represented in sub-standard housing and among
those in most need of support from the personal social services.
One form of social provision which gained rapidly in popularity in
the 1960s and 1970s was sheltered housing. It was seen to combine
housing with care; provided support while fostering independence;
and gave scope for flexibility and experimentation in adapting
schemes to local circumstances. By the late 1970s hundreds of
schemes were administered, and they were occupied by half a million
elderly tenants. Sheltered housing was called 'the greatest
breakthrough in the housing scene since the war'. Extravagant
expectations were aroused, and sheltered housing was regarded by
some as the solution to all manner of complex problems. Taking the
country as a whole, however, relatively little was known about the
numbers of schemes and where they were located; who owned them and
how they were managed; the aims and assumptions of those who
provided or advocated sheltered housing; how the schemes functioned
and whether they achieved what they were set up to do; the role,
experience and attitudes of wardens; what kinds of people lived in
sheltered housing, their history, and how they became tenants;
their assessment of the scheme; and much else. The Leeds study, on
which this book is based, originally published in 1983, was the
most comprehensive and detailed to have been conducted into
sheltered housing. It evoked widespread interest in Britain and
abroad at the time. It sought to answer some of the important
questions about the growth and proliferation of sheltered housing,
to evaluate sheltered housing from different points of view -
including those of tenants, and to consider the scope for future
development. While sheltered housing is the focal topic of the book
it should be viewed in the broader context of social policy,
administration, professional practice and client experience. The
book describes in detail an innovatory and evolving form of social
provision and, in doing so, illuminates the operation and impact of
policy in action at several levels - from the policy-maker to the
consumer, from the organisation of policy to its object. There was
significant evidence from the study that many tenants were provided
with a service which was not the one they sought, or even needed,
but they were given what the agency happened to have - or made -
available. Among other topics, the book examines sheltered housing
as a response to, or reflection of, myths and prejudices about
ageing. It discusses whether elderly people should be compelled to
move from familiar surroundings late in life - and how they cope
when they do move. The usefulness or otherwise of alarm systems is
assessed - with conclusions that throw considerable doubt on their
value or reliability. The evolution and modifications taking place
in sheltered housing are reported on and the scope for future
initiatives is discussed.
Housing has always been center stage in terms of community care for
adults. Yet the housing needs of disabled children and their
families have only recently been acknowledged. Housing Matters,
published in association with the Joseph Rowntree Foundation,
presents evidence to support and inform change in policy and
practice to ensure that the housing needs of disabled children and
their families are better met. The report challenges traditional
notions of housing need, calling for a reconceptualization that
embraces all impairments, focuses on child-centered needs and
extends beyond the "four walls" of the family home. The findings of
the report are discussed and interpreted within the context of
current policy and practice. Housing Matters is an invaluable
resource to practitioners and managers working in health, social
service and housing departments and the voluntary sector; housing
providers; architects; local councilors; and those with
responsibility at a national level for meeting
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