New Housing Grants On Offer

New housing grants help residents remain in their own homes

Aylesbury Vale District Council (AVDC) has introduced new housing grants for residents who need assistance to make improvements to their homes. The grants provide support to disabled people, older people and vulnerable households.

The new grants aim to improve the quality of private sector housing in the Vale, improve the health and wellbeing of people living in run down homes and to enable disabled people to live independent healthy lives for longer.

The grants are funded by AVDC and the Better Care Fund (via Central Government).

They are aimed at disabled people, and include a Relocation Grant of up to £20,000 to help a person to move to a more suitable home and a Hospital Discharge grant of up to £10,000 to provide stair-lifts and ramps to allow a person to leave hospital. An Essential Repairs Grant of up to £10,000 has also been introduced, which can be used to make a home safe, warm and watertight.

By enabling people to remain independent in their own homes for longer, the grants contribute to wider public financial savings by delaying or preventing admissions into residential and health care, as well as benefitting the individual themselves.

Cllr. Sir Beville Stanier, Cabinet Member for Environment and Waste said: "Poor quality or unsuitable housing has a serious impact on health and well-being. The Council have provided Disabled Facilities Grants for some years, but the introduction of these new grants means we can offer residents in the Vale a wider range of support to make improvements to their homes."

Cllr. Angela Macpherson, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Communities and Civic Amenities added: "It's imperative that we support those living in vulnerable situations throughout the Vale. I'm delighted that these grants have been put in place, giving our residents a better and more comfortable lifestyle in their own homes."

To find out if you might be eligible and for information on how to apply please click here