New provider of home improvement agency services

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Home Improvement Agency services, known as the Home Assistance Hub, will be delivered by ForHousing from April 2022.

The new contract will run for five years and will see ForHousing provide services to repair, improve, maintain or adapt homes, including the Minor Adaptations Service; the Major Adaptations Service; the provision of special equipment and maintenance; and the provision of safety installations for domestic abuse victims.

Expert guidance will ensure residents are supported to access the funding sources available and to make changes to their homes so they can continue to live safely and independently.

Homeowners and private sector tenants who are older, disabled, or in low-income households within the Cheshire West and Chester region will access the Home Improvement Agency services easily via a new dedicated phone number and website. 

Henry Terefenko, managing director (HMC) ForHousing said: “We are delighted to have been appointed to deliver the Home Improvement Agency by Cheshire West and Chester Council. ForHousing is focused on working collaboratively and with care to deliver lasting change in communities and improve lives.

“We are passionate about offering a high-quality service to residents and providing this much needed support function further strengthens our strategic partnership with the council.”

Councillor Val Armstrong, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health, said: “The Council has an ongoing positive and effective relationship with ForHousing, who provide our housing management service. Following the start of this contract, we expect the level of service being provided by the Home Improvement Agency to improve further so that residents experience support to improve the standards of their home promptly and efficiently.”

ForHousing is a strategic partner to Cheshire West and Chester Council through the delivery of the housing management contract for 5,500 homes. ForHousing also deliver the homeless support contract, as an extension of this partnership, through forfutures.

Home Improvement Agencies are local, trusted organisations that help older, disabled and vulnerable people to live a good life for longer. They offer reliable information and advice and support people to make modifications to their homes as their health and needs change through later years especially. There are nearly 200 HIAs in England, covering 82% of local authorities. 

The Home Improvement Service for Cheshire West & Chester will be delivered by ForHousing, in partnership with Cheshire West & Chester Council.