Additional funding approved to allow vulnerable residents to stay in their own homes
Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils have this week agreed to increase grants to carry out home adaptions for some of their most vulnerable residents – helping them to retain their independence in their own homes for as long as possible.
Both cabinets agreed to increase funding to support more households to carry out home adaptations for family members with a disability, long term illness or change in health.
The increased levels of support, with grants available from £1K up to £15K will allow more residents to carry out the home adaptations needed to help them remain in their home and, in some cases, speed up hospital discharges.
The 2024 Housing Assistance Policy takes into consideration the growing cost of carrying out minor adaptations in the home and supports the councils’ aspirations to support residents to live as healthily, safely, and independently as possible within sustainable communities.
The enhanced grants include doubling minor adaptation grant limits and introducing offers of a ‘top up’ of up to £20,000 above to the national disabled facilities grant limit.
Cllr Richard Winch, Mid Suffolk District Council cabinet member for housing and property said:
Cllr Jessie Carter, Babergh District Council cabinet member for housing said:
Independent Living Service grants available include:
- repairs adaptations grant up to £10,000
- minor adaptations grant - for residents living with dementia, to help cope with the challenges of living at home for those facing terminal illness or end of life care increased from £7500 to up to £15,000
- discretional relocation grant up to £7,500
- discretionary disabled facilities grant (top up grant) of £20,000
