Government announces £50 million boost to help thousands more people live independently at home

The Department for Health and Social Care has announced a £50 million boost to the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG), which will be distributed to local authorities next month.

This announcement will bring total DFG funding for 2025-26 to £761 million. The additional funding is expected to support around 5,000 people to install home adaptations such as stairlifts, ramps, accessible bathrooms and assistive technologies.

Supporting the announcement minister of state for care, Stephen Kinnock, said: “Everyone deserves to feel safe and independent in their own home. A stairlift or an accessible bathroom might seem like a small change, but for thousands of older and disabled people these adaptations can be life changing. They help people move around freely, stay close to family and friends, and live with dignity.

“This £50 million boost could support around 5,000 more people to make these vital changes to their homes so they can remain independent and comfortable rather than face a hospital stay or a move into residential care.

“Home adaptations also play a crucial role in easing pressure on our NHS - preventing falls, speeding up hospital discharges and reducing admissions. This investment is part of our commitment to shift more care out of hospital and into the community, where people want to be."

Sarah Davis, CIH policy manager reacted to the announcement, saying: “CIH welcomes the government’s announcement of an additional £50 million for the Disabled Facilities Grant in 2025–26, which will help more older and disabled people live safely, independently and with dignity in their own homes. Home adaptations funded through the DFG can be genuinely life-changing. They support independence, reduce the risk of falls, help people leave hospital sooner, and prevent avoidable admissions into residential care. This investment recognises the vital role that good housing plays in health, wellbeing and the sustainability of health and care services.

“CIH has consistently highlighted the importance of the DFG as a cost-effective intervention that benefits individuals, families and public services alike. With demand for adaptations continuing to rise - driven by an ageing population and increasing levels of disability and long-term ill-health - sustained investment is essential.

“However, while this additional funding is welcome, it must be seen as part of a wider, longer-term approach. Many local authorities continue to face significant pressure from rising demand, construction costs and workforce capacity challenges, which can affect how quickly adaptations are delivered. Councils and Almos are facing particular pressure on Housing Revenue Accounts and more direct investment for adaptations in these properties is necessary. We would also encourage government to review the national £30,000 upper limit on the grant, which has not changed since 2008, to ensure it reflects today’s costs and the complexity of some adaptations.

“Looking ahead, CIH believes greater alignment between housing, health and adult social care - including through the development of a National Care Service - will be critical. Alongside investment in adaptations, we need a stronger focus on accessible and adaptable homes being built as standard, so fewer people need costly retrofitting later in life.

“CIH looks forward to working with government, local authorities and partners to ensure this funding delivers the maximum possible impact, and to continue making the case for housing to be recognised as a core part of our health, care and prevention system.”