ABSTRACT
Sheffield Homes is an Arms Length Management Organisation, which was formed in April 2004. The need for a housing strategy for disabled people, to look at access to housing and related services, was identified as part of a Best Value Review of Services to people with physical and sensory impairments across the Council. Sheffield City Council Housing Services had for number of years attempted to consult with disabled people. In the public sector where consultation with service users is seen as a mainstream and critical activity, there is much debate about the need for capacity building within the community to enable individuals to effectively engage with services. The consultation with disabled people undertaken by Inclusive Living Sheffield, and the work of the monitoring and scrutiny group, has brought about some significant improvements in housing services in Sheffield to the benefit of disabled people.
