Pembrokeshire Housing Financial Assistance Policy

Pembrokeshire Accessible Housing Register (part of Choice Homes Allocations Policy)

Pembrokeshire currently holds an Accessible Housing Register that has which lists those applicants who have a need for specialist adapted or adaptable housing. Housing available via the PAHR includes disabled adapted properties.

To be eligible for the Pembrokeshire Accessible Housing Register (PAHR), applicants will need to have an assessment and referral from an Occupational Therapist or other qualified medical professional such as a GP.

 

To ensure that applicants are bidding on appropriate properties, those persons on the PAHR will be categorised by the following criteria:

Level 1

• Indoor wheelchair user or those with a degenerative condition which means that their likely situation will mean they require a wheelchair for indoor use.

Level 2

• Outdoor wheelchair user requires ground floor accommodation but is ambulant indoors with the use of walking aids if necessary

or

• Some mobility issues but could be accommodated with adaptations such as a stairlift, level access shower.

 

The above list is not exhaustive, and each application is assessed on their individual merit.

Applicants on the PAHR Level 1 will not be shortlisted for general needs homes. Those in Level 2 will be considered for general needs properties that are suitable to be adapted.

 

Council property adaptations – Necessary and appropriate

When considering an application for adaptations to a council property, access to the property needs to be taken into account. We will be working towards classifying our housing stock Council properties in the following categories: -

Category 1

• Wheelchair accessible properties that are suitable for internal wheelchair users including Homes for Life (this excludes flats on the first floor or above).

Category 2

• Properties that have had some adaptations that are suitable for a disabled person with some ambulant ability but who is not an internal wheelchair user e.g. level access shower, grab rails, small ramps.

Category 3

• Properties that do not have any adaptations at the time of survey but are suitable to be adapted in the future to meet the needs of a disabled person, with some ambulant ability but not an internal wheelchair user.

Category 4

• Properties that are not suitable for adaptation due to level of adaptations that would be required to meet a disabled persons’ needs. Therefore, it is considered that adaptations (internal or external access) is not reasonable or practicable. (Exceptions may apply, if minor adaptations such as grab rails, small ramps are already in place or may be installed to meet a current occupant needs).

 

In the case of the property being classified as not suitable for people with mobility problems, then it is considered that it is not reasonable or practicable to carry out the adaptations within this property. In such circumstances, the Housing Service in conjunction with the Occupational Therapist will need to consider the long-term needs of the disabled tenant as an individual/household together with required adaptations. Alternative housing options will need to be a fundamental consideration in such cases, and work with allocations and tenancy management teams to source alternative suitable accommodation.

In making the decision whether to provide adaptations at the property the following needs to be considered. 

What matters to the tenant 

• Category: Goals/objectives
• To be considered: Can the works support the disabled person's roles and routines, including looking after others or supporting carers looking after the disabled person? 

Identified needs

• Cateogry: Long term and sustainable
• To be considered: Will the works provide a long-term solution to meet the need(s) and future use? 

Achievable in the environment

• Category: Type of adaptation 
• To be considered: Can the adaptation be achieved within the property. 
• Category: Economic
• To be considered: Will the works provide value for money in reducing/minimising care costs?

If no to any of the above, suitable alternatives should be considered, which may include alternative housing. In this circumstance the Housing Service will work with the tenants to source alternative suitable adaptable or adapted housing from our council housing stock.