National Housing Strategy for People with a Disability 2011 - 2016

5.16 In common with leasing, RAS may provide the following benefits for people withdisabilities:• increased social housing options, particularly smaller units;• more diversified locations;• units are required to meet a higher standard than those provided by the minimumregulatory standards in private rented accommodation.“RAS Type” Arrangements5.17 The leasing initiative 23 has been extended to provide RAS type contracts for non-rentsupplement households using leasing monies. This will enable housing authorities toprovide the benefits of RAS type arrangements to people who do not qualify for thestandard RAS scheme e.g. those who have not been in receipt of rent supplement for 18months. The potential of this arrangement to meet the housing needs of people withdisabilities should be optimised by local authorities.5.18 The DECLG has commenced a value for money and policy review of RAS. Thepurpose of this review is to carry out a detailed analysis of the entire implementation phaseand investigate the scope for improvements in the future operation of the scheme. It isexpected that this review will be completed in 2011.5.19 To ensure that RAS and leasing provide, as far as possible, viable housing options forpeople with disabilities, procedures should be developed to identify their potential to meetlocal identified need 24 . This can be facilitated through a framework of effective interagencyprotocols and managed through local allocations policy. For example, in the case of peoplewith mental health disabilities, it is recognised that there are certain location and designfeatures which are considered important in the management of the disability. Similarly,people with a physical or sensory disability may require adaptation works to facilitate theirneeds. This framework will also assist local authorities in ensuring that people withdisabilities are integrated within sustainable communities.Voluntary & Cooperative Housing5.20 Voluntary and cooperative housing is supported by local authorities and the DECLGunder the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) which provides social rented accommodation.23Ref Circular SHIP 2010.0724The sourcing of suitable units should be linked to meeting the specific categories of need provided for inregulations underpinning the new assessment process.53 53