In any economic climate this is a result for which council chief executives would bite your hand off. It actually exists in Stoke-on-Trent. And yet other local authorities have been slow to recognise its potential.

This week Inside Housing publishes a care and support special which explores how this core area of the housing profession is already dealing with cuts. Consequently, it is that much closer to finding workable solutions.

Housing professionals are in no doubt that the coalition government is deadly serious in its desire to cut the £155 billion national deficit, but are they fully grasping the implications (and possibilities) of the localist agenda? The scheme in Stoke-on-Trent is an important example of what can be done to provide services more efficiently. It also provides a clear pointer to the future of housing provision.

Already many social landlords such as Housing 21, Hanover Housing Group and Look Ahead Housing and Care offer integrated services in a similar manner. They reap the benefits in the number of contracts they win to provide health, adult care and housing support services. With the advent of individuals taking responsibility for their own care budgets, the ability for providers to offer a ‘one-stop-shop’ and more integrated service will become even more crucial. The expected continued cuts to Supporting People budgets will push providers to further re-evaluate their business models. As one housing association chief executive said, those who don’t adapt will ‘disappear off the face of the planet’.

As we report, the Total Place agenda offers perhaps the clearest expression yet of the likely result of the localist doctrine. Although begun by the previous Labour government, Danny Alexander, chief secretary to the Treasury, is reportedly very interested in the potential of the project to integrate public spending.

Stoke-on-Trent is just the tip of the iceberg and social landlords would do well to position themselves accordingly in the new world order.

Have your say

You must sign in to make a comment