Hyndburn Homes - shower install

[Neil]

Originally Posted by harwood red

As Derek stated many of the jobs are specialised and have to be to a very high spec..but I have to say the biggest waste are the stairlifts installed.

You would not say that if you saw the work done at my inlaws.

[harwood red]

Originally Posted by BERNADETTE

Would have thought that a stairlift would be suitable for most people unless they were very obese. Can't recall Iantos being tailor made but stand to be corrected. It has been removed so can't test whether it would be ok for me.

the occupational therapist assesses the person needing the adaptations and orders the correct stairlift for their needs... we went down the road of having the OT assess new applicants for that home but the waiting list was so long to get them out it was not feasible to go down that route!

[MargaretR]

It is now 2 1/2 years since I began asking for a shower install,
The bathroom and kitchen refurbishment which were scheduled for 2008 are postponed indefinately.
The occupational therapist's recommendations have not been implemented because HH do not have the money to do them.
I recently had notification that the spending in 2010 will be replacement soffit boards only- they are rotting - pieces dropping off in large chunks - so they can't postpone that one

I have decided that I need a better standard of accomodation than this and have taken active steps to be rehoused.
The drawbacks of this flat-
1. communal stairwell
The next door tenant wanders up and down the stairs regularly in the early hours of the morning (3am yesterday, 4am the day before)
The noise in the stairwell wakes up us other residents - the bedrooms adjoin the stairwell and have a single brick dividing wall.
In order to sit out in the sun I have to carry my lounge chair up and down 13 concrete steps

2. It is at the top of a hill - so I need a car to get me to the nearest bus stop at the bottom.

3. The bathroom suite is over 30 years old - chrome on fittings is worn away with age - taps are a struggle to turn - basin is at mid hip height- bath has indelible marks - bath panel is brittle due to age and is cracked in 2 places.

4. Kitchen is very small and badly laid out. In order to accomodate a dishwasher I had to get my washer plumbed in in a cupboard - I struggle to prepare food on a worktop 2'x3'
I replaced the cupboard doors at my own expense because many had peeling veneer exposing the chipboard.

5. Window catches are broken - only one window opens wide enough to allow access out in the event of fire - there was a stairwell fire in these flats not long before I moved in.

6. When the roof leaked in 2003 the plasterboard ceiling swelled and bulged in a 3ft square area - it is still like that.

7. The windowsills in the lounge and kitchen are warped and cracked. (I have tiled them to improve their appearance.)

8. The walkways around the block are clogged with slutch and rotting leaves. This renders attempts at keeping the stairwell clean impossible.
A slutchy pond appears regularly at the front entrance.

The only reason I have put up with it is the view of trees and fields, which I will sadly miss.
I had great hopes that Hyndburn Homes would have refurbished as promised, but all that has been done is the central heating.
That had to be done because the hot air system was blowing out 30+yr old dust and caused some people health problems.

So I joined 'b-with-us' in February, and HH have recently joined this scheme, which previously was only used by Twin Valley Homes.
I have been interviewed and now have a priority rating for rehousing.
I can view a list of available 'social housing' online and 'bid' for any that may look suitable.

I will not be applying for 'gods waiting room' type housing - a little bungalow with my own front door would be lovely, as long as it has a shower and more kitchen space.

There are drawbacks to wherever you may find yourself living - unless you are filthy rich and have unlimited choice.
I count my blessings that I am not still living in that house I 'sold for a song' in Church.

[jaysay]

I take it your not happy with your accommodation Margaret

[MargaretR]

I think that someone at Hyndburn Homes has read my tale of woe.
I am to have a shower install 'within 14 weeks', just within 3 years of requesting.

I will have to leave the ranks of the great unwashed.
As a hermit I had got used to my own stink and didn't inflict it on others - I always struggled/bathed before I went out into company(not often) - a wipe down with a wet flannel was all I needed most times.

There has been a revolution in washing habits in my lifetime.
The once a week bath was an accepted norm in the 40s. I didn't ever expect to revert back to it, but my knowledge of those post war days has proved useful.
Anyone know where I can buy powdered egg?

PS the leafy slutch problem has been seen to also

[turkishdelight]

Originally Posted by MargaretR

It is now 2 1/2 years since I began asking for a shower install,
The bathroom and kitchen refurbishment which were scheduled for 2008 are postponed indefinately.
The occupational therapist's recommendations have not been implemented because HH do not have the money to do them.
I recently had notification that the spending in 2010 will be replacement soffit boards only- they are rotting - pieces dropping off in large chunks - so they can't postpone that one

I have decided that I need a better standard of accomodation than this and have taken active steps to be rehoused.
The drawbacks of this flat-
1. communal stairwell
The next door tenant wanders up and down the stairs regularly in the early hours of the morning (3am yesterday, 4am the day before)
The noise in the stairwell wakes up us other residents - the bedrooms adjoin the stairwell and have a single brick dividing wall.
In order to sit out in the sun I have to carry my lounge chair up and down 13 concrete steps

2. It is at the top of a hill - so I need a car to get me to the nearest bus stop at the bottom.

3. The bathroom suite is over 30 years old - chrome on fittings is worn away with age - taps are a struggle to turn - basin is at mid hip height- bath has indelible marks - bath panel is brittle due to age and is cracked in 2 places.

4. Kitchen is very small and badly laid out. In order to accomodate a dishwasher I had to get my washer plumbed in in a cupboard - I struggle to prepare food on a worktop 2'x3'
I replaced the cupboard doors at my own expense because many had peeling veneer exposing the chipboard.

5. Window catches are broken - only one window opens wide enough to allow access out in the event of fire - there was a stairwell fire in these flats not long before I moved in.

6. When the roof leaked in 2003 the plasterboard ceiling swelled and bulged in a 3ft square area - it is still like that.

7. The windowsills in the lounge and kitchen are warped and cracked. (I have tiled them to improve their appearance.)

8. The walkways around the block are clogged with slutch and rotting leaves. This renders attempts at keeping the stairwell clean impossible.
A slutchy pond appears regularly at the front entrance.

The only reason I have put up with it is the view of trees and fields, which I will sadly miss.
I had great hopes that Hyndburn Homes would have refurbished as promised, but all that has been done is the central heating.
That had to be done because the hot air system was blowing out 30+yr old dust and caused some people health problems.

So I joined 'b-with-us' in February, and HH have recently joined this scheme, which previously was only used by Twin Valley Homes.
I have been interviewed and now have a priority rating for rehousing.
I can view a list of available 'social housing' online and 'bid' for any that may look suitable.

I will not be applying for 'gods waiting room' type housing - a little bungalow with my own front door would be lovely, as long as it has a shower and more kitchen space.

There are drawbacks to wherever you may find yourself living - unless you are filthy rich and have unlimited choice.
I count my blessings that I am not still living in that house I 'sold for a song' in Church.

Thats terrible, what do they charge for that.

[BLACKBURN RAVER]

Originally Posted by MargaretR

2. It is at the top of a hill - so I need a car to get me to the nearest bus stop at the bottom.

thats the best thing iv'e read in years is that, absolute genius

[MargaretR]

Originally Posted by BLACKBURN RAVER

thats the best thing iv'e read in years is that, absolute genius

Glad to amuse ........ anytime.
I have a free bus pass and a 6 yr old car that hasn't done 10,000 miles yet.
I have just driven a couple of miles today to get free chiropody.
'Every little helps' (but Sainsburys free deliveries are the best)

[Neil]

Originally Posted by harwood red

adaptions do cost a fortune, but very little of it comes out of council budget in Blackburn and Darwen (can't speak for Hyndburn). The DFG comes out of a central borough pot which is made up of contributions from various housing associations and NHS. Twin Valley at the last look put in £250k.

Why do the housing associations in effect pay for the expensive adaptations. That means that many people are in effect paying higher than needed rents so that some people can have free adaptations done to their home.

That does not sound fair to me.

[MargaretR]

Originally Posted by Neil

Why do the housing associations in effect pay for the expensive adaptations. That means that many people are in effect paying higher than needed rents so that some people can have free adaptations done to their home.

That does not sound fair to me.

You need to look at the 'bigger picture'. Most rents are paid for by Housing Benefits and councils get a rent subsidy from national government.
Independant living in an adapted property costs the nation less than nursing home provision, or 'home help' to bathe a person (heaven forbid - I would rather stay mucky)

This reminds me of a saying by Mae West-
.."marriage is an institution and I am not ready for one yet"

[Neil]

Originally Posted by MargaretR

You need to look at the 'bigger picture'. Most rents are paid for by Housing Benefits and councils get a rent subsidy from national government.

So rents should be lower and the adaptations paid for from benefits. I don't believe in charging everyone more rent so some can get the benefit.

Originally Posted by MargaretR

Independent living in an adapted property costs the nation less than nursing home provision, or 'home help' to bathe a person (heaven forbid - I would rather stay mucky)

I don't agree it costs less, I agree it is sometimes better for the people though.

[LYNX1]

Originally Posted by Neil

Why do the housing associations in effect pay for the expensive adaptations. That means that many people are in effect paying higher than needed rents so that some people can have free adaptations done to their home.

The housing association does not pay for disabled adaptations when done through an occupational therapist, it is paid for by the government via a disablement grant........Not saying that housing associations don't do adaptations to some properties, then rent them to disabled people.

[shillelagh]

When the ones done on my house for mum it was done through the hospital .. but it was rossendale borough council who did the work.

[MargaretR]

Originally Posted by LYNX1

The housing association does not pay for disabled adaptations when done through an occupational therapist, it is paid for by the government via a disablement grant........Not saying that housing associations don't do adaptations to some properties, then rent them to disabled people.

I tried that route (see post #37), but was told I would be asked to pay £3,500

[BERNADETTE]

Neil I don't agree it costs less, I agree it is sometimes better for the people though.

You are joking home care saves this country millions of pounds every year, plus is better for most people.