The Government has announced £50 million for local authorities across England to fund home adaptions for older and disabled people. These adaption grants are estimated to support 50,000 people a year and help to accelerate hospital discharges as patients’ homes are fully adapted to their needs.
This investment is the first half of a £102 million package to support the elderly and those with disabilities to retain their independence at home. Eligible disabled people of all ages will be able to apply to Telford & Wrekin Council for a grant to adapt their home to better meet their needs.
Available to homeowners, private renters and those in social housing, the funding will be delivered through the Disabled Facilities Grant and comes on top of the annual £573 million already provided to local authorities for home improvement services.
Since 2010, there have been almost half a million home adaptions across the country, backed by £4.8 billion in Government funding.
Lucy Allan MP said:
I am pleased that the Government is investing significant amounts of money in home adaptations for elderly and disabled residents. It is crucial that people are able to be as independent as possible in their own homes – nobody wants to feel dependent and any adjustments that can be made to assist them are worthy investments.
This is yet another massive investment from the Government for vital local services and I trust that Telford & Wrekin Council will make it as easy as possible for eligible residents to apply.
Minister for Social Care, Helen Whately MP, said:
If you’re older or living with a disability, a well-adapted home gives you independence and safety.
Living in your own home can be impossible after illness or injury without changes like wheelchair ramps, handrails or a stairlift.
This new funding will help thousands more people have homes fit for their needs - and faster. When time is of the essence, this fund will help local authorities do urgent and smaller-scale adaptations ore quickly.
Sometimes all that stands in the way of a patient going home from hospital is a simple home adaptation - so this is good news for patients and hospitals too. It’ll mean more people can recover from a hospital stay at home, and more NHS beds for patients who need them.
