1. Ministerial Foreword
It is essential that we care for our existing housing stock and it is equally important that where disabled, older and vulnerable home owners need help to maintain, repair and adapt their homes, there is help to do so. The unique person centred and property related services that Care and Repair delivers are pivotal in achieving this.
I am impressed by the ability of Care and Repair to deliver a flexible and holistic approach that is independent, confidential and non-judgemental. They are seen as approachable, trusted and responsive to individual needs and quite rightly held in high regard by the people that they help.
It is not easy to achieve this against a backdrop of administrative, legislative and economic change and the funding uncertainties that I know many Care and Repair projects face. I commend them for what they achieve and for the commitment and dedication that they show towards their clients.
The ethos and approach of Care and Repair fits extremely well with the current policy context and the Scottish Government's Purpose: to create a more successful country where all of Scotland can flourish through increasing sustainable economic growth.
This report represents a watershed for Care and Repair from which to move forward as a self-sufficient movement with strong local accountability. I believe that is the best guarantee that thousands of older and vulnerable home owners will be able to rely on this very special service into the future.
I ask each local authority with its community planning partners to consider the contribution that Care and Repair makes to protecting and enhancing the built environment and helping older and vulnerable people cope with the responsibilities of home ownership, the benefits this brings to individuals and local communities and the part the authority should play in ensuring the future of this service. I ask all Care and Repair staff to take hold of their own future and work with stakeholders, partners and clients to secure and improve services. And I ask those responsible for managing, governing and supporting local Care and Repair projects to support staff in this task.
Alex Neil MSP
Minister for Housing and Communities