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Anchor Staying Put Hackney is a not-for-profit Home Improvement Agency run by Anchor Trust in partnership with the London Borough of Hackney, Supporting People, Social Services and City & Hackney Primary Care Trust. We provide a service that is designed to help both older and disabled people who are homeowners, housing association tenants or private tenants.

Over 9% of Hackney residents are over the age of 65 according to the City & Hackney Public Health Profile 2004 as apposed to the whole of England which is 16% and that figure is set to increase yearly.   The population on Hackney has increased from 1991 – 2001 by 9.7% with births outweighing deaths in 2001 by 31%. The population is estimated to grow each year; so will the need for adaptations and improvements.

The Agency was set up over 20 years ago to deal with these needs and consider ways in which new services could be delivered. We have over the years improved and expanded our service taking into consideration need and change and continue to improve and expand.   We provide two types of services, a core service which deals with more major works and a small repairs service that deals with works that will take up to three hours to complete. Our core service is dedicated to improving the quality of life of our customers by providing advice and assistance with adaptations, improvements and repairs to their properties that will enable them to remain safe, secure, warm and independent in their own homes.

Core Service Information

A major part of our core service involves giving assistance to customers with

• The funding process.
• A technical service.
• Engagement of preferred contractors.
• Maximising income through applications for welfare benefits.
• Inspecting work on site.

This allows our customers to feel relaxed about the whole process. They know that the work is being arranged for them and is in safe hands. Most importantly, they do not have the stress of managing repairs, adaptations or improvements themselves.

• Our technical service includes.
• Surveys.
• Schedules of work.
• Applications for planning or other consent where appropriate.
• Tendering for work.
• Monitoring contractors on sit.
• Final certification.

Depending on the type of work you have carried out, you can contact us for up to 12 months after the work is completed to discuss any problems that may have developed during this time.

Our service offers you confidential advice, support and assistance.
All of our staff are Criminal Records Bureau checked.

How does our service work?

Anyone is able to contact us to discuss our service, including the individual, carers, relatives, friends or professionals (such as occupational therapists, care managers etc).

We will arrange to visit you in your home to discuss your needs and complete a site survey.

• If we are the appropriate agency for you we will help you with the decisions that need to be made with regard to the work to be done.
• We will help you identify ways in which the work can be financed.
• We will obtain quotes, select contractors only from our preferred list and inspect work on site.
• We will help you with any disruption that may be caused during work and any unexpected faults that may appear once work is completed.
• If we are not the answer for you we will do our best to put you in touch with the right people for your needs.

How do I pay for the cost of the work?

There are various ways of funding any work done:

1 Grants .

Most of our customers receive grants from the London Borough of Hackney. We can advise you on your entitlement to any financial help.

We can help you to fill in forms and will liaise with local authority staff to keep you informed of progress.

Normally, funding is provided through a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG). These are available to assist with funding disabled adaptations. DFG’s are means tested.

2 Charitable Funding

If you do not qualify for a local authority grant it may be possible, depending on the amount required, to find funding from a charitable organisation - for example, you may have been a member of a trade union who could assist you with funding. We can approach charities on your behalf, and assist you with completing the application forms.

3 Equity Release

Some customers opt to release some of the value in their home to finance repairs and home improvements. By improving your home, you can increase the value by more than the amount you released via equity release. You should always contact an independent financial advisor to discuss what type of equity release would suit your circumstances and home best, and we can provide a list of all independent financial advisors within Hackney.

4 Savings / Loans

Some customers opt to pay for work from their savings. Others may wish to consider a loan, from a family member or a bank / building society.

How much will I have to pay Anchor?

Our advisory service is free. We do charge a technical cost of 10% - 12% of the net cost, which includes surveys, preparation of schedules of works, specifications, quotations, monitoring, and final certification.

This technical cost is usually included in any grant for which you may be eligible and may be included in charitable applications for funding. All other advice and support offered by Anchor Staying Put is free.

What work do we do?

• Our work is varied and includes:
• Bathroom adaptations / improvements (inc. walk-in showers).
• Kitchen adaptations / improvement.
• Extensions (to incorporate washing and toilet facilities, an extra bedroom etc).
• Access ramps.
• Structural house repairs.
• Stair lifts and through floor lifts.
• Roof repairs.
• Plumbing.
• Rewiring.
• Replacement windows and doors.