Home Improvement

Home improvement refers to a range of services to assist vulnerable people with work to improve the safety, comfort and sustainability of their homes. Examples of home improvement include insulation, repairs, major and minor adaptations, efficient heating systems. Older people are the largest group receiving this type of support. Many of these services are provided by Home Improvement Agencies (HIAs), which will offer information, advice, practical help (e.g. handyperson services) and may directly negotiate with builders etc on behalf of a an individual.

The resources listed below provide information about current types of services and issues for the future development of home improvement services.

• Adapting for a lifetime - The key role of home improvement agencies in adaptations delivery
  This new report from Foundations, the national body for Home Improvement Agencies (HIA) identifies examples of good practice and innovation within the HIA sector and their partnerships with local authorities,...
• Energy efficiency and eradicating fuel poverty
  Foundations has published this resource guide to provide home improvement agencies and commissioners with an update on energy efficiency and fuel poverty policy and practice. The resource guide provides...
• Connecting with Health and Care
  This report is published jointly by the Housing LIN and Foundations. In Autumn 2007 Foundations, the National Body for home improvement agencies, was commissioned by Communities and Local Government...
• The Future Home Improvement Agency - Handyperson services report
  Housing LIN Briefing No30 - This briefing provides an overview of the recent report published the Communities and Local Governments' (CLGs) which announced additional funding for handyperson service...
• Rainy Days, Silver Linings
  This Housing LIN Report looks at attitudes towards home equity release for care services and the products currently available on the market. It also looks at the potential for using home equity in this...
• The Future Home Improvement Agency: Supporting choice and maintaining independence
  An overview report on factors that will determine the future success of Home Improvement Agencies (HIAs) produced as part of the Future HIA project. The role of HIAs in coordinating housing support and...
• Small things matter - the key role of handyperson services (March 2006)
  Published by Care and Repair England, March 2006 This report by Care & Repair England examines the current provision fo small repairs and minor adaptations services being provided by the main older...
• Health and Winter Warmth - reducing health inequalities
  Produced by the Regional Public Health Group in the South East, this factsheet describes the links between fuel poverty and ill health and outlines the evidence about what works in reducing fuel poverty....
• The Kent Health & Affordable warmth strategy
  A brief Housing LIN Case study No8 describing the strategy in Kent to reduce fuel poverty and improve health.