Renfrewshire councillor welcomes investment in Adaptations and Care & Repair Scheme

A local councilor has welcomed funding for the Private Sector Housing Grant as it supports a range of services to private sector owners.

At yesterday’s meeting of the Communities and Housing Policy Board, the Private Sector Housing Investment Programme for 2023/24 was approved.

This funding is allocated to a number of services including ensuring owners can participate in the Council’s Housing Regeneration plans and particularly for supporting owners who need assistance to make their homes suitable for a member of the household who is older or disabled.

The strategy for support for disabled adaptations across all tenures is the responsibility of Renfrewshire Health & Social Care Partnership (HSCP) Integration Joint Board and can allow for a minimum of 80% grant support to homeowners referred by HSCP Occupational Therapy Services. An annual allowance of £550,000 to support the delivery of private sector adaptations has been included in this year’s grants budget.

Further support is also available from Care & Repair Renfrewshire who will manage private sector adaptations and a small repairs service in Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire and Inverclyde. This is run by Bridgewater Housing Association who will receive a budget of £230,000 to provide this service.

Kenny MacLaren, SNP Councillor for Paisley Northwest, said: “I welcome the funding for the Private Sector Housing Grant as it supports a range of services to private sector owners.

“Providing grants – particularly to the council housing regeneration sites – will help homeowners in these areas to fully participate in the planned regeneration of these areas.

“Care & Repair Renfrewshire provides free and confidential advice and practical assistance to people who are older or have disabilities and live in Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire and Inverclyde.

“This takes a lot of pressure off of elderly residents as this service aims to enable repairs and adaptations to be carried out to allow residents to maintain their independence and remain in their homes comfortably, safely and securely.”