Home Improvement Agency (HIA)

Home Improvement Agencies (HIA's) are not-for-profit, local organisations that assist and support elderly, disabled and vulnerable people to live independently in their own homes for as long as they wish to do so.

They achieve this by providing practical solutions to housing related problems, mainly by helping vulnerable clients repair, maintain or adapt their homes.

The key feature of HIA's is that they are client centred offering impartial, confidential, independent and free advice about the options open to vulnerable households to help them maintain independent lifestyles within their own homes.

In November 2008, Stockton Borough Council appointed Broadacres Housing Association to provide the following Home Improvement Agency services in the borough:

General Advice and Information - This is a telephone based service available to all residents of the borough, providing useful information and guidance on housing related problems. For those clients who are not eligible for further assistance from the HIA they will be signposted to other organisations that may be able to help.

Repairs and Improvements - This service is available to owner occupiers who are 60 or over, disabled or have been identified as vulnerable. Practical help will be given to assist clients to have necessary repair or improvements carried out at their homes. This could include helping clients with all aspects of arranging and undertaking works or if a client feels confident enough, assisting with just part of the process only. The decision of what work to undertake, how and when it is done is made by the client with the HIA providing support to the level the client is happy with.

Handyperson Service - This service is aimed specifically at vulnerable adults aged 60 or over who have a chronic illness, have a disability or have sensory loss or other problems that restricts their ability to function on a day to day basis.

The Handyperson will undertake small non-skilled tasks which in normal circumstances can be undertaken by most adults. For example such tasks could include:

replacing light bulbs
changing plugs, fuses and lampshades
fixing loose carpets, putting up curtains/rails
unblocking sinks/mending leaking taps small decorating jobs
small gardening jobs

Tasks taking longer than 3 hours will not be undertaken.

Home Safety Assessment - A home safety assessment will be offered to those clients who are 60 or over, disabled or otherwise vulnerable. The purpose of the assessment is to identify possible hazards in the home and provide advice and assistance to reduce accidents and improve safety in the home.

Whenever possible, actions to improve safety will be undertaken but where it is not possible to fully remove the risks a referral can be made to other service providers for more help and assistance.

All the services provided by the HIA are free to eligible clients.

To find out more about the types of help available please contact Broadacres Home Improvement Agency on 01642 345257 or click on the link below.