Future proofing our homes and neighbourhoods
The evidence in the GO Science report on homes and neighbourhoods is an important reminder that sometimes the best thing to do is go back to basics.
Millions of people are living in homes that are unsafe, but can’t afford or don’t know how to maintain their home as they age. We want people to have greater access to help and advice to improve their homes.
Many people don’t make basic repairs or adaptations to their homes because of the cost or concerns about the upheaval involved and finding someone they trust to do the work.
We are designing and testing a user-centred ‘Good Home Agency’ service model in Lincolnshire. Our Good Home Agency would act as a one-stop-shop for information and advice on finance, home repairs and adaptations. We want a Good Home Agency to exist in every community, offering co-ordinated advice on how to get and pay for improvements, building on existing services and assets locally. A ‘home MOT’ would identify what changes people need most.
We are also working with investors, lenders, consumer groups and the government to explore how we can offer people more finance options to pay for home improvements, including local authority funding through the Disabled Facilities Grant.