CUMBERLAND residents who need help to remain living independently in their homes will soon see the benefits of a new policy initiative agreed this week.
Cumberland Council’s Executive agreed a new Home Adaptation and Assistance Policy at its meeting in Carlisle on 27 March.
The initiative helps residents who have a disability make adaptations to their home so that they can remain independent and living at home for longer. Grants of up to £30k can be provided to residents through the government’s Disabled Facilities Grants scheme.
The grants were previously provided via the three former district councils. The changes therefore mean that residents will now get the same improved service and offer wherever they live in Cumberland.
Home adaptations – such as ramps, grab rails or wet rooms – result in people having the confidence and ability to remain in their homes for longer, benefitting both their physical and mental health.
There are also wider societal benefits. The Centre for Ageing Better estimates that £4.56 is saved for every £1 spent, thanks to reduced demand on local health services from falls and other health issues. They also estimate that adapting someone’s home through the scheme reduces the length of a hospital bed stay from 15 to just nine days on average.
Central to the plans is the creation of a Cumberland Home Improvement Agency, providing a full end-to-end service, with a caseworker to guide residents through the various stages from application to design and management of the work.
There are also plans to introduce a deferred payment loan scheme allowing people to top up their grant with an interest-free loan which is repaid once the property is sold or transferred such as through inheritance.
Speaking on the plans, Cllr Emma Williamson, Executive member with responsibility for Children and Family Wellbeing and Housing, said: “I’m really pleased to see agreement of this policy today. Not only does it harmonise the approach to home adaptations across Cumberland, but improves the service we are providing our residents with a full holistic service guiding people through the process from beginning to end.
“What we can achieve through these grants is truly life changing for those who receive them, allowing them to remain independent in their home near their family and friends. This preventative approach to services is all part of our key ambition to help improve the health and wellbeing of our residents.”
The council paid out over £4.7m in grants in 2024/25 and is seeing a 13.8% increase in grant allocation in the next financial year. In 2023/24 some 818 works were completed, an 8.5% rise on the previous year.
The policy has been developed through extensive consultation with local residents and organisations as well as the council’s members.
More details on Disabled Facilities Grants can be found on the council’s website.