Communities Minister and Health Minister have witnessed firsthand the
transformative impact of adaptations on local homes through the
Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG).
Ministers Lyons and Nesbitt commended the scheme after visiting a
County Down family who recently benefitted from home
modifications carried out through DFG funding.
Anne-Marie Kelly, whose son Conor has a diagnosis of autism and
learning disabilities, described the adaptations to their family
home in Downpatrick as “life changing”.
Minister Lyons said: “It was inspiring to speak with Anne-Marie,
to hear Conor's story, and learn firsthand how Conor's wellbeing
and quality of life, and that of the Kelly family, have been
greatly enhanced through the Disabled Facilities Grant.
“As Communities Minister, I am committed to ensuring that
everyone has access to a safe and suitable home. I also want to
ensure that adaptations through the Disabled Facilities Grant are
available to all who need them.
“In the last financial year, over 800 adaptations, worth more
than £13million, were approved for homes across Northern Ireland
through the Disabled Facilities Grant.
“Visiting the Kelly home and seeing how it has been carefully
tailored to meet Conor's needs highlighted the significant impact
these adaptations are having in supporting persons with
disabilities and their families.”
Health Minister Nesbitt highlighted the joint working between the
departments responsible for health and housing, saying: “I
welcomed the opportunity to meet Anne-Marie and hear about the
real difference these bespoke adaptations have made to her
family's lives. Accessible housing is crucial to address
health inequalities and improve people's quality of life and
general mental and physical wellbeing.
“Conor's case is an excellent example of how interagency
collaborative working between Trust occupational therapists,
through their clinical assessment, and the NIHE Grants department
can produce positive outcomes for disabled people and their
families in how they lead their lives.
“This collaborative approach between our departments has also
produced a new inclusive home design guide, the first of its kind
in Northern Ireland which focuses on the needs of people with
cognitive and sensory impairment. My hope is that this guide will
ensure adaptations can be designed to meet the needs of
individual families, providing essential modifications for a
better quality of life.”
Following engagement with the Multi-Disciplinary Team, Conor's
Occupational Therapist recommended a ground floor bedroom and
bathroom, including sound proofing to dampen outside noise, with
work completed in 2024.
Anne-Marie Kelly said: "The adaptations made to our home through
the Disabled Facilities Grant have truly been life‑changing. They
have given Conor a new sense of safety, confidence and
reassurance that means the world to us as a family.
“I was delighted to welcome the Communities and Health Ministers
into our home, show them the modifications first-hand and to
share the positive impact adapting our home environment has had
on our daily lives.
“Seeing the improvement in Conor's quality of life has given us
such peace of mind, and as a family we are deeply grateful for
the support provided by Conor's Occupational Therapist and the
Housing Executive Grants Department through the Disabled
Facilities Grant.”
The Disabled Facilities Grant is a means-tested grant
administered by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive on behalf
of the Department for Communities, providing financial support
for home adaptations recommended by an Occupational Therapist.
The Department for Communities is currently leading a review of
the Disabled Facilities Grant, in partnership with the Northern
Ireland Housing Executive and Department of Health.
Minister Lyons said: “I am eager to see continued progress in
this area, and that's why I intend bringing forward proposals for
public consultation later this year to strengthen the
administration of these grants and improve outcomes for those who
rely on the scheme.”
For further information on the Disabled Facilities Grant, please
visit: www.nihe.gov.uk/housing-help/grants/types-of-grants-available/disabled-facilities-grant
Notes to editors:
- The Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) is a means tested grant
administered by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) on
behalf of the Department for Communities. It helps adapt or
modify a home for a person with a disability based on the
recommendation of an occupational therapist.
- The purpose of the Disabled Facilities Grant is to support
persons living with disabilities where they require major
adaptations to be carried out to their homes to ensure their
safety and help maintain their independence.
- The Department for Communities, in partnership with the
Department of Health and Northern Ireland Housing Executive, is
currently leading a review into the operation of the Disabled
Facilities Grant.
- Designing Homes for All: An inclusive design guide to support
people with cognitive and sensory impairment focuses on the needs
of service users with cognitive/sensory impairment and is the
first of its kind in Northern Ireland.
- The aim of the new Designing Homes for All: An inclusive
design guide is to support all stakeholders involved in housing
design, and to ensure people and their families living with
cognitive and sensory impairment can get the correct adaptations
to their home.
