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ADDITIONAL FUNDING WILL ADAPT HOMES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

Additional funding of up to £13 million this year from Communities Scotland will allow local authorities to target improvements in the homes of people with disabilities in Scotland, to make them easier and better to live in.

The extra funding will help up to around 4,000 disabled people who need support either through a grant or through their local care and repair service.

Communities Minister, Malcolm Chisholm, has approved the additional funding as part of the financial support given to local authorities to be able to help homeowners in their area.

The funding is part of a range of Executive commitments to support disabled people with their housing needs, including the help for tenants in the private rented sector given by the Right to Adapt provisions of the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 – announced earlier this month.

Communities Scotland is working with COSLA and individual local authorities to allocate the funds in the best way and to target those who can benefit in this financial year.

The additional funding brings the amount of money available in 2006/07 to local authorities for supporting homeowners to £78 million throughout Scotland, up from £65 million.

Announcing the additional funds Malcolm Chisholm said: “Everyone living in Scotland has the right to live in a decent home.

“This additional Private Sector Housing Grant funding of up to £13 million will allow local authorities to raise the standard of living for some of the country’s most vulnerable residents.

“I have asked them to target the adaptation of the homes of disabled people to better meet their needs.”

COSLA's housing spokesperson, councillor Douglas Reid, added: “COSLA welcomes this additional funding, which will assist local authorities to provide further support to communities, and improve the suitability of housing for many who might otherwise face difficulties.

“Local authorities are committed to good housing across Scotland, and these extra resources will help deliver additional assistance to those who need it.”

Communities Scotland was abolished on 1 April 2008. This is an archived site and the contents may no longer be accurate. If you are looking for information about housing and regeneration, please visit www.scotland.gov.uk For information about regulation and inspection, please visit www.scottishhousingregulator.gov.uk.