A council run service which offers support to older people of pensionable age, or those living with a long-term health condition or disability, could keep them in their own home for longer.
Dundee Care and Repair provides practical advice and assistance, in particular small repairs and minor essential works up to £500 in value.
Lynne Short, deputy convener of Dundee City Council’s neighbourhood, housing and communities committee said: “Last year more than 60 households benefitted from the Care and Repair service in Dundee, but there is capacity for us to do more."
"Significant social, health and financial benefits come from the work of the service because it provides the kind of support which can keep people in their own homes for longer.“The things that it does, clearly come at a cost but it is more like an investment that saves us spending even more money in other areas in the medium to longer term.”
People of pensionable age, or living with a disability or long-term health condition, can get help to stay safe, comfortable and independent in their own home including:
- essential home repairs;
- security improvements;
- door and window repairs;
- plumbing repairs;
- electrical repairs;
- heating and boiler repairs; and
- advice on grants and financial assistance.
Eligible applicants may also be able to access the Small Repairs Award, providing up to £500 (including VAT) towards qualifying repairs.
To qualify for Care and Repair, applicants must be a homeowner in receipt of:
- State Retirement Pension;
- the guaranteed element of Pension Credit or direct Council Tax benefit; or
people of any age with a disability or chronic illness in receipt of disability payment and ESA or Universal Credit.
Lee Mills, Dundee City Council's Older People's spokesperson added: "Sometimes looking after the older and more vulnerable people in our communities isn't about directly caring for them. This is a great example of a council service which can have a positive effect on people's wellbeing by improving their living conditions and environment."
Help is available to private or Housing Association tenants if the applicant meets the qualifying criteria, the work is deemed necessary and is not the responsibility of the landlord or Housing Association.
To find out more about Dundee Care and Repair contact 01382 436895 or private.sector@dundeecity.gov.uk
Dundee City Council
Dundee draws skilled workers from a 60-minute catchment population of 640,000 and has a local population of over 140,000. The availability of a large pool of highly skilled labour is a key feature in the Dundee economy. Flexibility in the labour force is currently more prevalent in Dundee than in Scotland as a whole. All forms of labour market flexibility - part-time, temporary employment, self-employment and shift work - are widely operational within the city. Labour force stability in the city is excellent, enabling companies to plan with confidence. Labour turnover levels are less than 5% and absenteeism averages 2%.
