Anger over plight of low income owners

The boss of an extra care housing firm has lambasted the system of state support for residents on low incomes who own properties in supported housing settings.

Bob Bessell, chair of Retire ment Security, told Community Care that the introduction of Supporting People in 2003 had created a “nightmare” in providing funding to cover service charges for this group.

Bessell, a former director of social services at Warwickshire Council, said he had spent nearly three years fighting for funding for more than 200 residents of the firm’s extra care developments, and some were yet to receive support.

Before the introduction of Supporting People, leaseholders who were on income support or pension credit would have the service charge covered as part of the benefit.

But since 2003, Supporting People has been responsible for the supported housing part of the charge.