Government Urged To Help Councils Deliver Home Adaptations

Government is being urged to build on an 8% increase in the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) to help councils deliver home adaptations. The centre for Aging Better says that though the increase is welcome, there’s more to do to support older people and people with a disability to live at home safely and independently. Government has confirmed the national Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) budget will increase by 8% to £505m, announced as part of the 2019/20 Policy framework for the Better Care Fund. The DFG is used to deliver home adaptations and other alterations, so people can stay living in their chosen homes. Read more on 24housing.

https://www.24housing.co.uk/news/government-urged-to-build-on-disabled-facilities-grant-raise-to-deliver-home-adaptations/

Disability Grants 'Not Always Meeting Need'

Government grants to help people adapt their homes to live more independently are not always allocated to meet need, a report has concluded. Around 40,000 people a year, the majority over 60 years of age, receive Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs) to pay for changes to their homes such as the installation of stairlifts, level access showers and ramps. However, a report commissioned by the national body for DFGs and home improvement agencies, Foundations, said awareness of the grants is low, its provision is fragmented and too often older and disabled people are forced to find solutions on their own. Download a copy of the report from the Foundations website.

Housing Benefit – Parliamentary Written Answer

Mr Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how his Department expects the cost of installing, maintaining and repairing special equipment and adaptations for housing will be met after universal credit replaces housing benefit

Kris Hopkins [holding answer 6 February 2014]: The Disabled Facilities Grant, which funds over 40,000 adaptations annually, will continue to be available to those who qualify. My Department secured £725 million for the grant in the 2010 spending review for the period 2011-12 to 2014-15 and over the last two years the Government has invested a further £60 million. In the 2015-16 spending round, the Government announced that the initial grant allocation will increase by 19% to £220 million.

New Law Will Put Adaptations at Risk

Housing departments will be given sole responsibility for stumping up the cash to pay for adaptations services, under proposals in the draft Care and Support Bill. In a move that sector experts warn will undermine the government’s own attempts to integrate housing and social care, new legislation is threatening the funding of existing adaptation services. Around £180 million a year from the government in disabled facilities grant is traditionally topped up by various council pots, including social services money in the form of grants or loans to meet the costs of adaptations. As a result of the proposal, however, housing departments would have to shoulder the full cost of making adaptations to older and disabled people’s homes because shared funding would be restricted.  Read more on Inside Housing.

Shapps: New Deal Will Help Older People Live At Home For Longer

Housing Minister Grant Shapps has launched a new deal to help older people to continue living comfortably in their own homes - with particular support for those leaving hospital. With nearly one in five of the whole population expected to be aged 65 or over by 2020, Ministers are determined to ensure elderly, vulnerable people get the help they need to live independent lives, and can be safe in the knowledge that they won't get ripped off by dodgy dealers and fraudsters. So Mr Shapps has given £51 million towards Home Improvement Agencies, who will provide help and advice. These agencies also offer hospital discharge services - ensuring older people leaving hospital care are given the support they need to be able to recuperate in the comfort of their own homes. For those needing adaptations to their homes, Grant Shapps has also confirmed an additional £20 million for Disabled Facilities Grants. Read more on the CLG website.

Disabled Facilities Grant Announcement 2011-12

Councils in England will be given £180 million to help them fund home adaptations, the government has confirmed. Housing minister Grant Shapps has published the details of local authority allocations for the disabled facilities grant, and confirmed that an extra £11 million a year will be available from April. The grant will no longer be ring fenced from 2011/12. The grant is used to help meet the cost of providing adaptations and facilities to enable people with disabilities to stay in their home. Modifications can include installing ramps or widening doorways for easier wheelchair access, installing a stair lift, providing a downstairs bathroom or adapting heating and lighting controls. Read the Minister’s full statement on the CLG website.