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Housing and home

In this section you will find out how to get help with adapting your home to your particular needs or with finding a new home. See 'Helpful organisations' for the full addresses of the organisations mentioned in this section.

Improving a home

Local social services 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 to 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 condition fit to live in - 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 and bathroom facilities, heating and controls. Mandatory grants are limited to £25,000 but local authorities may give more if they consider it necessary.

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 £2000 per application or £4000 over a threeyear 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.

For more information on grants, contact:

For more information on grants, contact:

Home Insulation Grants
 EAGA Partnership 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,Working Tax Credit, Housing Benefit, Child Tax Credit, Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit or War Disablement Pension or are aged 60 or over. EAGA Partnership works with central Government, local authorities, charities, electricity, gas and water suppliers to provide grants for elderly clients, young families and those on benefits. Freephone: 0800 0720150 (Mon-Fri 8.00-20.00);Website:www.eaga.co.uk.

Getting work done

The local authority that 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.

Home improvement agencies Throughout England and Wales there are agencies able to advise you, help you decide what work needs to be done, organise it, 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 are usually covered by a grant or loan.

The agencies are co-ordinated by Foundations, the national co-ordinating body for home improvement agencies in England, which can give you details of agencies in your area. Tel: (01457) 891909;Website:www.foundations.uk.com.

In Wales contact Care and Repair Cymru.Tel: (029) 2057 6286 or, in North Wales, (01248) 371528.

In Scotland there is also a Care and Repair scheme run centrally by Scottish Homes (see page 199) through seven regional offices. Tel: (0131) 313 0044.

Finding a home

Through your local authority

One of the roles of the local authority is to help disabled people who are homeless or threatened with homelessness.The social services and housing departments will work together to help if it is necessary for you to move to a more suitable property.They may also be able to arrange a transfer if you wish to move to a different area.

Through housing associations

A housing association is a non-profit making organisation run by a voluntary committee to provide low-cost rented houses or help low-income earners buy their own.Working closely with both local authorities and charitable groups, they can provide housing for people with particular needs such as a disability.

Action point: You can get a list of housing associations specialising in housing for disabled people from your local authority or the Housing Corporation keeps information on registered housing associations. Tel: (020) 7393 2000. In Wales, contact Tai Cymru on (029) 2074 1500. In Scotland, contact Scottish Homes on (0131) 313 0044.

Types of home

Housing which is especially suitable for disabled people includes mobility housing, wheelchair and sheltered housing, and lifetime homes.

Mobility housing is a house with special features such as a ramped entrance and wider doors for people who can walk but may sometimes need a wheelchair.

Wheelchair housing is specially designed for people who use wheelchairs at all times.

Sheltered housing is in flats or bungalows with a resident warden for people who are elderly and/or disabled.

Lifetime homes have flexibility to be adapted to people's changing physical needs over a lifetime, including possible wheelchair use.

Action point: Your local authority housing office will tell you about its services and about housing association properties in your area, and can advise you which ones have access.They will give you an application form asking what kind of property you want and where you want to live.

Action point: In Scotland contact the local District Housing Department for your area or Scottish Homes, the national housing agency. Tel: (0131) 313 0044.

In Wales you can also contact Tai Cymru (formerly Housing for Wales).Tel: (029) 2074 1500 (Cardiff) or (01492) 641797 (Gwynedd).

Action point: Helpful organisations include:Age Concern, Care and Repair England, Centre for Accessible Environments, Disabled Living Centres, HOMES (Housing Organisations Mobility and Exchange Services), Housing Corporation, Rethink (National Schizophrenia Fellowship),RADAR, Royal Mencap Society, RNIB, RNID, SCOPE, Shaftesbury Society, Shelter, Sign Campaigning for Services in Mental Health and Deafness, Spinal Injuries Association.

Action point: HoDis (National Disabled Persons Housing Service Ltd) promotes housing resources for disabled people in the UK, irrespective of age, impairment or lifestyle, in order to support their choice in housing and thereby maximise their independence and quality of life.They achieve this objective primarily by promoting innovation and good practice, including the concept of the Disabled Persons Housing Service - a type of home improvement agency. HoDis can also supply useful publications and good practice guides.Tel: (01904) 653888;Website: www.hodis.org.uk.

Reference point: From the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (England only)
House Renovation Grants.
 Housing: Disabled Facilities Grants.
 Home Repair Assistance.
 These publications are available from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister Publication
Textphone: 0870 1207405;
Fax: 0870 1226237;
Website:www.housing.odpm.gov.uk.

For information in Scotland, contact the Scottish Executive.
Tel: (0131) 556 8400;
Website: www.scotland.gov.uk.

For Wales, contact the Welsh Assembly Government.
Tel: (02920) 825111;
Website:www.housing.wales.gov.uk.

Reference point: From the Home Office

Your Practical Guide To Crime Prevention.
Free from Publicity Section, Home Office, Queen Anne's Gate, London SW1H 9AT.
Tel: (020) 7273 2193;
Website:www.crimereduction.gov.uk.

Reference point: From your local Fire Brigade headquarters

Fire Safety Advice for Disabled People.

Reference point: From voluntary organisations

A Kitchen For You. Available from Disabled Living Foundation. Helpline: 0845 1309177 (Mon-Fri 10.00-16.00);Textphone: 0870 6039176; Website:www.dlf.org.uk.

Older Home Owners - Financial Help with Repairs. Available from Age Concern.Information line: 0800 009966 (every day 7.00-19.00);Website:www.ace.org.uk.

Renovation Grants - Including Help with Housing Repairs and Adaptations. Available from Carers UK. Helpline: 0808 8087777 (Mon-Fri 10.00-12.00 & 14.00-16.00);Website:www.carersonline.org.uk.

Reference point: From public utility suppliers (free)

The BT Guide for People who are Disabled or Elderly. Free from local BT shops or telephone 0800 800150 (voice) or 0800 243123 (text).

British Gas: Our Commitment to Older or Disabled Customers. Free - phone the number on your gas bill or National Home Energy Care on 0845 9555404.

Making Life Easier for People with Disabilities. Available from Electricity Association.Tel: (020) 7963 5700; Website:www.electricity.org.uk.

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