Future development

Looking to the future for their services, the case studies were focused on

a number of core issues. There was a need for consistency of service with

local flexibility, recognising the value of locally designed services but

acknowledging the inequalities that arose from a patchwork of provision

nationally.

Several case studies saw potential to undertake energy efficiency, retrofit

and fuel poverty work. This may generate income, draw on and sustain

existing expertise within services, and work with a broader demographic

including younger families.

Hoarding was viewed as a growing problem in need of tailored interventions.

Whilst beyond the remit of home improvement services, it was also

important to consider new development and its role in providing a diverse

mix of adaptable housing for the future.

Although there were a range of measures, evidencing impact was high

on the agenda for some services in the future, including qualitative and

quantitative approaches.

Considering the future sustainability of services, a number of common

challenges were evident. Many services were concerned about increasing

demand and more complex cases alongside funding pressures.

Demographic change was projected to increase demand significantly

among older populations.

The need for home improvements in the private rented sector is likely

to expand, as more people in this tenure are ageing. There were several

reports of challenges in adapting housing association homes.

Funding and inflation are major constraints on some of the services

delivered by case studies. The cap for DFG funding made it increasingly

difficult to undertake some adaptations, with extensions particularly

challenging. Whilst the value of capped grants had already been eroded,

the recent context of high inflation had caused significant challenges.

Funding pressures were ever-present, and services were vulnerable to the

non-renewal of discretionary programmes. Access to funding was predicted

to remain a major challenge.

The staffing of services is a key constraint, with common challenges in the

recruitment of technical roles. The balance of technical and soft skills is

important to the delivery of good services, but ultimately it is challenging

to achieve.