£660,000 homes aid for disabled

MORE than £660,000 will be given to Oldham council to help pay for adaptations at homes of disabled people so they can live comfortably and independently.

The allocation is part of a £165 million pot announced by Communities Minister Lord McKenzie.

The Disabled Facilities Grant programme will benefit about 40,000 people across the UK through improvements such as upgraded lighting for better visibility or improved access to the home through ramps and widened doors.

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.”

Any disabled person can apply for the grant via their council, whether they are a homeowner, private tenant or local authority tenant.

The council will arrange for an occupational therapist through social services to visit the home to assess which adaptations are needed.