Plans to charge disabled residents for home adaptations

A FEE may soon be imposed on the properties of some disabled individuals in Calderdale when they are sold to recover some of the costs of conversion.

- By ELIZABETH MACKLEY and JOHN GREENWOOD

While some funding costs for home conversions for eligible individuals are obligatory, the charge would apply to discretionary funding that exceeds this amount, under certain conditions.

When they convene today, Calderdale Council Cabinet members will be asked to recommend to the full council that it approves an Adaptions Policy within its Adults Services and Wellbeing directorate.

The proposal suggests that the charges - referred to as Local Land Charges - are applied in accordance with current legislation where the adaptations significantly increase the property's value.

The briefing paper for the councillors states that modifying homes to make them more accessible and usable enables disabled children and adults to lead more independent lives.

This brings dignity, enhances independence and safety, and simplifies life for both the disabled individuals themselves and their carers.