To ask the Minister for Communities to detail any ways his Department works with the Department of Health to reflect the impact of housing conditions and suitability, on the health and wellbeing of older people.

My Department, and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE), work with the Department of Health (DoH) in relation to housing for older people in a number of ways, which reflects the impact housing conditions and suitability will have on health and wellbeing:

My Department and DoH co-chair the Interdepartmental Accessible Homes Strategic Forum, which sets strategy and policy and strengthens collaboration and decision-making on home adaptations.

We are working together on a review of NIHE-administered Private Sector Grants focusing on streamlining processes and ensuring people can access the adaptations they need as quickly as possible.

My Department provides funding for the Supporting People Programme, which is commissioned by the NIHE. The Programme delivers housing support and works closely with the Department of Health on improving access to supported living accommodation for vulnerable adults, including older people.

My Department chairs the Supporting People Joint Policy Forum —comprising DoH, the Department of Justice, and NIHE — which strengthens strategic cooperation and engagement across the statutory stakeholders involved in Supporting People services.

My Department collaborates with DoH’s Social Care Collaborative Forum to identify and undertake actions to address the needs and challenges related to supported living for individuals with diverse abilities and support requirements.

My Department is overseeing work with the NIHE, with engagement with stakeholders and other departments including DoH, on Proposal 20 of the Fundamental Review of Social Housing Allocations, which is considering the allocation process of specialised properties including for later in life.

The assessment of needs for older people is led by Health and Social Care. Any accommodation needs, or needs for housing related support, are agreed through cross-departmental partnership working forums including the NIHE’s Supporting People Strategic Advisory Board.