Local social service departments and housing authorities will assess what improvements and adaptations you may need in order to live more independently in your own home. Local authorities can give two kinds of grants: House Renovation Grants make properties fit to live in; and Disabled Facilities Grants to make houses suitable for disabled people. In both cases you may be expected to pay some of the costs, depending on your income. For minor works of repair, improvements or adaptation local authorities may give Home Repair Assistance.

Help is available to all private sector owner-occupiers and tenants. Disabled people can also apply for help if they live in council property.

House Renovation Grants Discretionary grants (which are provided subject to means testing) cover getting the house in a liveable condition, for example, if it is structurally unsound or in serious disrepair. Grants may also cover improvements such as heating and putting in additional living accommodation

Disabled Facilities Grants Mandatory grants are awarded after an occupational therapist from social services has assessed whether the adaptations proposed are necessary and appropriate. Grants are available to make it easier for you to get into and around your home, or to provide suitably adapted kitchen an bathroom facilities, heating and controls.

Mandatory grants are limited to £20.000 but local authorities may give more if they consider it necessary.

Discretionary grants cover work done to make the place better for disabled people to live and work in , such as creating a play area for a disabled child or adapting a room for working from home.

Home Repair Assistance is a discretionary grant. It may be given to meet the cost of minor repairs, improvements or adaptations subject to a limit of £2.000 per application or £4.000 over a three-year period.

It is not means-tested and, along with owner-occupiers and tenants (but not council tenants), you may be eligible for assistance if you have a right to occupy your home, even if you have no formal tenancy. You may also be eligible for Home Repair Assistance if you live in a mobile home or houseboat.

In Scotland There is a mandatory improvement grant to provide standard amenities to meet your needs as a disabled person. You might also be able to get discretionary improvement grants for works to make a house suitable for your welfare, accommodation or employment. The system is run by local authorities who will be able to give you details.

Home Insulation Grants EAGA Ltd, makes these grants towards draught proofing and insulating your home if you are on Attendance Allowance, Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Council Tax Benefit, Disability Living Allowance, Disability Working Allowance, Housing Benefit, Family Credit or Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit or War Disablement Pension or you are aged 60 or over.

Phone free: 0800 072 0150

Who does the work

The local authority which gives the grant may commission the work and supervise it, perhaps together with a housing association. However, it is more usual for the applicant to commission the builder and to supervise the works where they are in receipt of a house renovation grant or disabled facilities grant.

Throughout England and Wales there are agencies able to advise you, sort out finances, find a surveyor, architect or builder and keep an eye on progress. The service is free. If there are charges for help, they may usually be covered by grant or loan.

The DETR contract for the role of national co-ordinating body for Home improvement agencies in England passed to Foundations on 1.4.00.
Tel: 01457 868003

Care and Repair England can be contacted on Tel: 0115 9821527

In Wales contact Care and Repair Cymru Tel: 02920 576 286 or (North Wales) Tel: 01248 371528

In Scotland there is also A Care and Repair scheme run centrally by Scottish Homes, the national housing agency.

Tel: 0131 313 0044

Finding a home

The Accessible Property Register
http://www.accessible-property.org.uk
New website which will bring information about accessible and adapted residential property into the mainstream. They aim to be the first port-of call for anyone wanting a home for life.

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