Disability & Accessible Housing - How to Secure Adaptations

Introduction

This virtual classroom seminar will focus on the routes by which housing adaptations can be secured for disabled clients. Suitable adaptations to a home can significantly improve a person’s life, however, the costs of adaptations can be prohibitive and the routes by which adaptations can be obtained are not well known.

Research undertaken by the National Residential Landlords Association shows that only 8% of landlords let properties to people with accessibility needs and the biggest barrier to installing adaptations is cost; 79% of landlords did not know that funding for adaptations is available.

This session will cover the basics of disabled facilities grants, including the recently updated government guidance for local authorities, as well as other legal frameworks that may come into play, such as adult social care legislation and the relief duties under Part 7 of the Housing Act 1996. In addition, the role of the Equality Act 2010 will be explored, particularly in relation to landlord’s refusing permission for adaptations required by their tenants.

Finally, the session will give practical tips about challenging gatekeeping and negative decisions.

What You Will Learn

This live and interactive session will cover the following:

• The Disability Facilities Grant framework: the process for applications and decision making, and the legal tests applicable, including relevant case law. There will be a particular focus on the updated guidance for local authorities and the use of DFGs to obtain technology for clients
• The Care Act 2014/Chronically Ill and Disabled Persons Act 1970 framework: how adult social care obligations might be relied upon to secure adaptations
• Part 7 Housing Act 1996: the role of the relief duty in seeking housing adaptations
• The Equality Act 2010: key provisions applicable in the adaptation’s context, particularly in relation to landlord/tenant relationships
• Routes of challenge: an overview of judicial review and discrimination claims as a means of challenging negative decisions

Recording of live sessions: Soon after the Learn Live session has taken place you will be able to go back and access the recording - should you wish to revisit the material discussed.