Government funding announced to make PRS homes more accessible for disabled tenants

The government have announced £50 million in funding to help older and disabled people make adaptions to live independently in their own homes including in the private rented sector.

Landlords can access the funding from the local authority Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG), providing they have a tenant living in the property that requires the adaptation.

Landlords and letting agents can claim £30,000 towards adaptation in any one home in England.

Right type of housing is provided

The industry body says the increase in funding comes following its own response to the Call for Evidence from the Older Persons Housing Taskforce.

Propertymark called for the government to improve access and promote the DFG to landlords and their agents to ensure that more property in the private rented sector is accessible.

The industry body also called for local authorities to be required to improve their understanding of the number and needs of disabled people in their area, with data informing local development plans to ensure the right type of housing is provided.

Growing number of older and disabled people accessing the PRS

According to the Older Person’s Taskforce for housing, there are 12.4 million people in Great Britain aged over 65 (18% of the population). By 2041, this is projected to rise to 20.4 million (26% of the population).

Propertymark is encouraging landlords to provide housing for the growing number of older and disabled people in England.

A spokesperson said: “Although tenants with disability issues are required to be living in a property to access the DFG, landlords and their agents should be encouraged to consider ways in which they can future-proof their businesses by providing housing to the growing number of older and disabled people accessing the private rented sector.”