Disabled could face wait for key work on homes

Bradford Council claims it may have to pay out an extra £500,000 a year on the essential home improvements for people with disabilities following the end of a 10-year agreement with social housing provider, Incommunities, which disputes the figure.

The local authority warns that budget constraints will mean introducing a waiting list, based on priority needs, for the first time in a number of years.

Bradford and District Disabled People’s Forum has condemned the move, which it says could put some people in danger.

Paul Anderson, a member of the forum, said: “If people are in need of adaptations it is really unfair to expect a delay or introduce a waiting list because their needs will not change.

“It could be dangerous for that person to be left vulnerable and without these adaptations. They might not be able to stay in their own home. They may have to go into care if they do not have the adaptations or remain in hospital, which would put a burden on the NHS.

“The council has a duty of care to provide the grants and we would hope they would do it in a timely fashion. The forum will be watching what happens regarding this.”

A 10-year agrement with the social landlord, now called Incommunities, for it to fund around £500,000-a-year Disabled Facilities Grants for its tenants came to an end on March 31.

Bradford Council says Incommunities has told the local authority it could only afford to fund £250,000 worth of grants for 2013-14. The council now estimates it will need to pay the £300,000 necessary for the funding shortfall for the rest of this financial year.

It claims Incommunities has said it cannot guarantee to provide any more funds for the coming years, meaning the local authority could be left to fund the adaptations for all residents including social tenants, private tenants and owner occupiers.

Bradford Council says the extra bill, growing because of extra demand, will mean more than £500,000 a year will have to be found from its budget.

Coun David Green, Bradford Council Leader, said: “Trying to find an extra £500,000 a year for Disabled Facilities Grants at a time of unprecedented Government budget cuts is a major blow for the council.

“We will do all we can to ensure that the most vulnerable people in the district who need vital adaptations in their homes do not suffer because of this funding crisis.

“However, the further large reductions in funding for councils, combined with the increasing demand for services – particularly social care services – and inflation, mean the council is faced with having to do much more with far fewer resources. This can only have an impact on those people who need our help most.”

But Incommunities, which owns two thirds of all the social housing stock in the Bradford district, said its board agreed to “carry on funding the service by a quarter of a million pounds annually which is much more than other housing associations in the area”.

Dave Procter, Incommunities’ group board chair, said: “It’s unfortunate that the council’s Press release seems to blame Incommunities for what is in fact an issue caused by increasing demands on the service, financial pressures facing the council and our own budgetary constraints.

“The difference between our reduction in contribution is £250k; not £500k as given by the council’s Press statement.”