Policy
Housing authorities, associations and Social Services faced
with difficulties in letting some schemes, poor SP and CSCI
or other reviews, or because they see changing needs and demand
no longer match provision have to consider what to do with
buildings or sometimes sites. What is the best way to use
the asset? How do we ensure buildings and services are "fit
for purpose"?
Problems
Decisions on how best to utilise assets are likely to be
multifaceted. If done properly they will encompass:
- Physical features of the building or site, assessment
of the environment, local facilities, transport
- Costs of maintenance, repair or remodelling and changing
services in both capital and revenue terms
- A range of alternative uses and needs groups
- Possibilities, consequences and risks of disposal, retention,
re-modelling, doing nothing and a host of alternatives.
A mixture of skills are required. Some "commercial"
processes, off the shelf can be extremely complex, long winded,
time consuming and end up with an answer obvious at the outset
or alternatively no answer! In house assessments are likely
to be influenced by political, organisational or other constraints
including time and resources that may limit vision and options.
H & S P Solutions
We have a multi disciplinary team. This includes a surveyor
experienced in developing sheltered housing, residential care
and extra care, a qualified accountant and experienced staff
from housing and social care backgrounds. Together we are
able to investigate sensitively with residents and stake holders
alternative options, undertake surveys, do market testing,
interviews ... whatever is required to get implementable
solutions.
The Partnership has developed assessment tools that are simple
to use and a facility to model investment possibilities, varying
assumptions, showing the results of different options in pictorial
(graph) form. This is easily understood by non-financial people.
Examples
We are routinely engaged to complete optional appraisals
of existing sheltered housing schemes or residential homes
considered for closure. We have also recently assessed a community
hospital as a possible extra care scheme for a PCT.
Commissions range from one-off scheme assessments to a review
of 30 sheltered schemes with advice on the option for each
as part of a long term Accommodation and Support Strategy
for a city council.
On occasions initial option appraisals have led to the development
of long-term asset management strategies. |
