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: "We recognise that costs are raising all around us, and this includes the cost of making essential adaptation works. By increasing the financial allocations of the grants available, we can help more residents to remain in familiar surroundings through vulnerable periods of their life and also help reduce demands on our care systems."

Cllr Jessie Carter, Babergh District Council cabinet member for housing said: "We want to support residents facing and dealing with sudden unexpected challenges due to changes in their health. This additional funding will enable our Independent Living Service to support even more households in a way that meets their needs during difficult times for them and those around them."

 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