Issued by City of York Council
City of York Council has been awarded £96,438 to help homeowners and private tenants remain independent in their own homes for longer.
The funding augments the councils Disabled Facilities Grant Fund which is used to help residents who have been assessed by an occupational therapist as requiring modifications to their home.
Residents can apply for help by contacting City of York Councils Customer Access and Assessment Team on 01904 555111, or by doing their own, online self assessment at:
http://www.york.gov.uk/health/Services_for_older_people/ or via:
https://www.equip-yourself york.org.uk/smartassist/york
Once an occupational therapist has assessed the need, a referral is made to the councils Housing Standards and Adaptations team who help over 175 residents each year to adapt their homes such as replacing a bath with a level access shower or providing a stairlift.
The Disabled Facilities Grant Fund is means tested, but members of the team offer support while the adaptation is being carried out.
Councillor Tracey Simpson-Laing, City of Yorks Cabinet Member for Health, Housing and Adult Social Care said: ”We know that increasing numbers of people are choosing to live at home for as long as possible, but in todays financial climate they are finding it even more difficult to afford adaptations to their home.
“It is important that we support those residents to live as independently as possible, to help them be aware of their housing choices, and that whilst this extra funding is welcomed there needs to be a realisation that it will be needed each and every year as the citys older population grows.”
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