Home Plus Leeds: ‘Significant concerns’ over rising demand for vulnerable safety and heating scheme
A service that helps keep vulnerable people safe and warm in their homes has been struggling to keep up with demand.
The council has increased its funding for the city’s Home Plus service after it saw an increase in referrals.
The scheme has also faced rising costs for its services, which include home adaptations, repairs and heating improvements.
A Leeds City Council report said an extra £50,000 would be committed for each of the next three years.
It said: “There are risks to both physical and mental health associated with living in a cold, damp or hazardous home, or one that doesn’t provide a sense of safety.
“The right home protects people’s health and wellbeing by enabling people to live independently and safely, as well as preventing physical and mental ill health.”
Home Plus is provided by Care and Repair Leeds under a contract worth almost £740,000 per year.
The company installs handrails and fixes trip hazards to prevent vulnerable people falling at home.
It also provides draft proofing, heating repairs and energy efficiency advice.
The contract began in October 2023 in partnership with charities Age UK and Groundwork. It is is funded by council departments and the West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board.
The report said Home Plus referrals were up to 25 per cent higher than the same time last year.
The report said: “This has led to significant concerns around the capacity of the service to meet demand.
“Care and Repair Leeds project that if referrals continue at current levels without any intervention, the current annual funding amount is not enough to meet demand in the final quarter of the year.”
The report said Home Plus had helped reduce falls in homes around the city.
On average, 99 per cent of clients were happy with the Home Plus service and 92 per cent said they felt more independent in their home.
The council’s extra contribution to Home Plus will come from its Disabled Facilities Grand funding, provided by central government.