Communities Minister Lord McKenzie has announced a £165 million-plus pot of money for local councils, to help those with disabilities adapt their homes so that they do not have to move house.

The measure is to enable people with disabilities live comfortably and independently in their own homes. The means-tested Disabled Facilities Grant programme will help around 40,000 people, it is anticipated, and the money will become available from April.

The Disabled Facilities Grant forms one part of the Right to Control Trailblazers – a series of pilots in which people with disability who participate have the right to choose and control the support they receive.

Lord McKenzie said:

‘These grants will make life significantly easier every day for many thousands of people. No one wants to go through the upheaval of moving house when it is avoidable. This money enables people to stay in their own home, while enjoying an improved quality of life.’

Minister for Disabled People, Jonathan Shaw, said:

‘Disabled people are the experts in their own lives – that’s why we’ve worked together to give them more control over funding and services.

‘In the Right to Control Trailblazers, thousands of disabled people will have more choice over how funding – such as the Disabled Facilities Grant – can help them live independently in their own homes.’

The government says that many recipients of the grant will be able to remain or become independent as a result of receiving financial help to adapt their home – and will also be able to do things alone that otherwise would have required assistance. The grant is means tested to ensure it reaches those ‘most in need’.

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