Dr Neil Hudson MP has welcomed the announcement that older people and those with disabilities across Cumbria can benefit from £622,209 worth of Government funding to live safely and independently in their own homes.
Cumberland Council received £379,089 and Westmorland and Furness Council £243,120 as part of £50 million allocated to local authorities by the Department of Health and Social Care and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, which will be delivered through the Disabled Facilities Grant. Funding is available to homeowners, private renters and those in social housing, and eligible people will be able to apply to their local authority for a grant to adapt their home to better meet their needs. Since 2010, there have been almost half a million home adaptions, backed by £4.8 billion in funding.
The £50 million comes on top of the annual £573 million already provided to local authorities for home improvement services and is the first part of a £102 million investment to be made over two years, which will enable local authorities to provide additional services that are agile, make minor adaptations quickly and support speedier hospital discharge.
Those interested in applying should contact their unitary authority, a Disabled Facilities Grant won’t affect any benefits being received.
Dr Neil Hudson MP said:
“I’m really supportive of our Government with its compassionate approach to those who need to make changes to their houses, and would encourage anyone eligible to apply.
“From installing grab rails to improving heating systems; we are determined that everyone should live in safe and suitable homes that cater to their individual needs.”
Minister for Adult Social Care, Helen Whately, said:
“Everyone deserves the opportunity to live comfortably and independently in their own home, and the Disabled Facilities Grant supports people to do just that.
“This extra money will help to speed up the process so that local authorities can make minor changes quickly and people can live safely where they feel most comfortable.
“It will also help to get people discharged from hospital quickly as being able to return to suitable housing will reduce the need to draw on other care and support.”
Providing suitable adaptations to homes, such as wheelchair ramps, handrails, stairlifts or specialist equipment, will mean that when someone is medically fit to be discharged, they will have somewhere safe to be discharged to, freeing up hospital beds for those who need them.
As a result, this will help to reduce waiting times, which will be important as the health service approach the winter months, when pressure on the NHS increases.
The Disabled Facilities Grant is one of a range of housing support measures that a local authority can use to help enable people to live independently and safely at home. The government also provides guidance to local authorities to help them effectively and efficiently deliver home adaptations and best serve the needs of older and disabled people in their local communities.
