Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to increase the number of specially adapted homes in the (a) North West and (b) UK so that people with complex care needs can live independently for longer.

Local authorities, across the North West and wider UK, are best placed to understand the housing needs in their area. National policy sets out clearly the need for local planning authorities to plan for the housing needs of all members of the community and it is for individual authorities to work closely with key partners and local communities in deciding what type of housing is needed to meet local need.

Supported housing supports many vulnerable people, including those with disabilities, to live independently. That is why we have committed to providing £400 million of funding announced in the Department for Communities and Local Government’s Shared Ownership and Affordable Homes Programme 2016-2021 to deliver affordable homes for the vulnerable, elderly and those with disabilities. Furthermore, the Department of Health has committed £224.5 million to date through the Care and Support Specialised Housing Fund.

We have also increased funding for the Disabled Facilities Grant which can contribute to the cost of adapting a property for those with a disability or a care need. The Disabled Facilities Grant funding for England for 2017-18 is £431 million. Funding will rise to £468 million next year, and to over £500 million by 2020.