DISABLED HOUSING GROUP CELEBRATES FUNDING BOOST

 

Marilyn Livingstone, MSP,  today cut the ribbon to officially open the office of the Disabled Persons Housing Service (Fife).  The service, which is independently run to assist disabled people in exploring their housing options, was recently awarded £70,500 from Communities Scotland, the Scottish Executive’s housing and regeneration agency, through its HomePoint grants programme over the next three years,  to expand the provision of housing information and advice services to disadvantaged disabled people in the region. Marilyn, who attended the  DPHS(F) Launch  at Rothes Halls back in September 2005,  praised the group’s development and said:  “DPHS(F) are working in a person-centred way with clients.  They are showing that working in partnership, not only with the local authority, but with national housing providers, is paying dividends for clients who otherwise may not have known about those properties.  The service is addressing a gap in services by delivering the message to the community in a different way with their caseworker and volunteers.”

 

Tom Glen, spokesperson from Communities Scotland commented:  “HomePoint recognise that many gaps in advice provision have more to do with the medium than the message.  The DPHS(F) project is delivering their service in the community in a user-friendly and accessible way and are involving disabled volunteers in the project.  We are delighted that DPHS(F) are able to take part in HomePoint training which will increase the professional services on offer.”

 

Wendy Riveiro, new Caseworker at DPHS(F) added:  “We work in partnership with many other services in Fife.  Taking time to consider housing options at a pace to suit each client is paramount and we are proud of our person-centred working.  Our volunteers are currently completing a resource library which includes not only information on the rented sector in Fife, but Ownership Options, Homestake and other support services related to housing which a person may wish to know about.  We are out and about doing presentations and if you’d like us to come along, please get in touch.”

 

Jackie Morrison, DPHS(F) Development Officer explained:  “We hold a database of disabled people in housing need and match their needs with our Housing Options register which contains details of existing stock and planned developments in Fife.  We are proud to be working together with the local authority and Housing Associations to make best use of their stock.  It’s good news too to introduce the idea of Homestake to people who may have thought that owning their own home was out of reach.”

 

The service is run from the DPHS(F) office at The Roundhouse, Priory Campus, Victoria Road, Kirkcaldy.KY1 2QT

Telephone:01592 223905

enquiries@dphsfife.org.uk

www.dphsfife.org.uk

 

Scottish Charity No:SC032589