Tag Archives: Housing
Extra funding announced to support people in their own homes
Care and Support Minister, Norman Lamb has announced an extra £40m will be added to the Disabled Facilities Grant to help people remain independent in their own homes for longer.
Speaking today at the Housing Learning and Improvement Network Conference 2012, Care and Support Minister Norman Lamb said:
“For people with disabilities and older people, even the simplest things such as walking, getting up the stairs and climbing in and out of the bathtub can become difficult.
“We know that most people want to remain independent and be supported in their own home as far as possible. This funding will help people make the necessary practical changes to help them remain in their own home and prevent or even postpone the development of health and care needs.
“An adaptation can make a huge difference to the life of an older person by helping them access all facilities and all parts of their home safely and independently. Research shows that for every £1,000 spent through the Disabled Facilities Grant, the quality of life gains are estimated at £1,723 per year.”
This extra funding will enable more older people and adults with disabilities to have better quality of life and also help them remain independent and in their own home for longer.
£300m pot for independent living opens
29 October 2012 | By Rhiannon Bury
Bidding has opened for a £300 million pot aimed to help older people and adults with disabilities find affordable homes.
The care and support specialised housing fund, launched today by minister for care Norman Lamb, marks the first time that the Homes and Communities Agency has run such a programme on behalf of the Department of Health.
The HCA will administer £240 million of the fund. A further £60 million will be administered by the Greater London Authority.
Benefits changes: Universal Credit system warning
Seventy organisations involved in the benefits system have raised concerns about a government overhaul.
9 September 2012 Last updated at 09:06
The Universal Credit aims to make the system simpler by replacing five work-based benefits with one benefit.
The groups are worried about moving to monthly payments, access to an online system and whether a new IT system will be ready by an October 2013 deadline.
The government says managing the system online will save money, and that the new benefit is set to come in on time.
Ministers have said they are determined to reform the system, so it pays people to work rather than claim benefits.
Written evidence, seen by BBC Radio 4’s The World This Weekend, was submitted to the House of Commons Work and Pensions Committee by organisations representing councils, charities, trades unions, business groups and housing organisations.
