Disabled residents and people with long-term health conditions can now access more support to live independently at home, thanks to increased funding.
Some residents will be eligible for up to double the funding available compared to last year to make their homes safer and more comfortable with essential adaptations like ramps, hoists, or showers.
The changes were approved by the District Council as part of an update to the adaptations and repairs policy for Cambs Home Improvement Agency. The new policy includes enhanced assistance for low-income households to improve home energy efficiency.
Cllr John Batchelor, Lead Cabinet Member for Housing for South Cambridgeshire District Council, said: "We believe the increased support will bring about meaningful, life-changing improvements for our residents. One powerful example shared by Cambs HIA is of a young man who needed several home adaptations—like a level-access shower, hoists, and ramps—to stay at home safely with his parents, rather than moving into care. Previously, the available funding wasn’t enough to cover the full costs, but with the increased support, more families will now receive the help they need without delays."
Cllr Helene Leeming, district councillor for Cambourne, who put forward the original motion calling for increased funding, said: “This increase will make a real difference to the lives of disabled people in South Cambs and Cambridgeshire. Often the people with the most complex needs need the most expensive work to adapt their homes, and costs have gone through the roof due to inflation. This increase will mean more home adaptations can go ahead and will help our disabled residents, and their families live with dignity, privacy and dignity. I am delighted it has been implemented.”
Key changes include:
· Doubling funding available to an individual as a top up grant or loan from £15,000 to £30,000. The maximum available under a Disabled Facility Grant is £30,000, so for those with complex needs, this will increase the amount available to meet a person’s assessed needs to a maximum of £60,000.
· Increasing the amount for repairs grants or loans to low-income homeowners from £10,000 to £15,000 enabling residents, with the support of Cambs HIA, to make their homes more energy efficient and improve any major disrepair. For homes which are assessed as failing the housing, health and safety rating system, this sum will increase to £25,000.
· Supporting those who need to self-fund adaptations to their homes in a comparable way to those eligible for the grants in recognition of the needs that people face irrespective of tenure.
The changes have been made possible with extra funding from the government, bringing the total available for home adaptations to more than £1.02 million for the coming year.
· Cambs HIA is a strategic council partnership operating across South Cambridgeshire, Cambridge City and Huntingdonshire for thirteen years. Its primary role is to work collaboratively with occupational therapists to design and support adaptations that enable people with long term health conditions to safely and, as independently as possible, remain in their own home. The increased support is outlined in the District Council’s Adaptations and Repairs Policy.
- · To find out more or apply, visit www.cambshia.org call 01954 713330 or email hia@cambshia.org