1. Housing renewal grants system
Mandatory disabled facilities
grants
are available from local authorities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (see
2 below ). Local authorities in England and Wales also have a discretionary power to help with adaptation or improvement of living conditions by providing grants, loans, materials or other forms of assistance (see
3 below ).
Community equipment, aids and minor adaptations that help people to live at home or with daily living, and which cost less than £1,000, should be provided free of charge in England. In Wales, the Rapid Response Adaptations Programme aims to provide adaptations costing up to £500 within 15 days of a referral by a local authority or health worker.
&
In Scotland, the housing grants system is different (see
Box H.2 ).