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Home Improvement Agencies
What are Home Improvement Agencies?
Home Improvement Agencies (HIAs) are non profit making local organisations which are coordinated by Foundations, the National
Coordinating body appointed by the Department of Communities and Local Government.  Names for HIAs include:  “Care and Repair”,
“Staying Put,”  “Homelink”,  “AtHome” and simply “Home Improvement Agency”.

There are currently 271 HIAs in England, covering 317 local authority areas.   (90% coverage).  Home Improvement Agencies
are run by Local Authorities, Housing Associations, or Charities’ Independent Management Committees.

What do Home Improvement Agencies do?

They advise people about adaptations and improvements needed in their homes and assist them to apply for grants and
loans to help pay for the work needed.  They also research and advise on reputable contractors to do the work.  During a
year, HIAs nationally deal with 98,000 enquiries of which 38,000 develop into work done.  80% of clients are in the Social
Priority category which consists of disabled people, people over the age of 75 and people on a very low income.

Approximately 1.4 million people in the UK need special adaptations to their homes to assist with disability.  Of these, almost
a quarter do not have any and may therefore have poor quality of life and increased risks of accidents and falls.  Disabled
Facilities Grants (DFGs) provide means tested funding for home adaptations to help disabled home owners and private or
social housing scheme tenants to remain independent in their own homes.  DFGs are generally administered through Home
Improvement Agencies.

For further information, please select the following external link: [ HIAs ]