For 2026-2027, the UK Government has confirmed £723 million for the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) to enable older and disabled people to live safely, independently, and comfortably at home.

DFGs enable vital home adaptations, including installing equipment like level-access showers, grab rails, stairlifts, ramps, homelifts, and ceiling track hoists, so that people can live in their own homes independently.

For BHTA members installing adaptation equipment, this DFG announcement is welcome, as it means there is more money available in local authorities to facilitate these life-changing installations and improve individuals’ quality of life.

Home adaptations also play a crucial role in supporting the NHS by preventing falls and other accidents in the home, speeding up hospital discharges, and reducing admissions, all of which ease pressure on the health service and help to shift care out of hospital and into the community.

According to the government, the DFG supported around 60,000 people last year.

Minister of State for Care, Stephen Kinnock, said: “We are putting more money into funding life-changing home adaptations so older and disabled people can live safely and independently.”

The 2026 to 2027 DFG allocations are:

• North East: £40,991,139
• North West: £124,356,177
• Yorkshire and the Humber: £69,779,658
• East Midlands: £51,658,126
• West Midlands: £89,602,528
• East of England: £66,019,956
• London: £95,935,564
• South East: £115,148,496
• South West: £69,508,356

The UK Government has announced an additional £50 million cash injection for the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) for 2025-26, which will enable thousands more older and disabled people to live independently in their own homes.

This extra investment will be allocated to local authorities in February 2026 and brings total DFG funding for 2025-26 to £761 million.

For BHTA members installing essential adaptation equipment, this extra DFG cash injection will come as a welcome announcement, as it means there is more money available in local communities to facilitate these life-changing installations and improve individuals’ quality of life.

DFGs enable vital home adaptations such as stairlifts, ramps, accessible bathrooms and kitchens, and assistive technologies. This includes mobility and daily living aid equipment like grab rails, ceiling track hoists, homelifts, and wetrooms. It means that people can live at home safely, independently, and comfortably.

Minister of State for Care, Stephen Kinnock, said:“Everyone deserves to feel safe and independent in their own home. A stairlift or an accessible bathroom might seem like a small change, but for thousands of older and disabled people these adaptations can be life changing. They help people move around freely, stay close to family and friends, and live with dignity.

“This £50 million boost could support around 5,000 more people to make these vital changes to their homes so they can remain independent and comfortable rather than face a hospital stay or a move into residential care.

“Home adaptations also play a crucial role in easing pressure on our NHS – preventing falls, speeding up hospital discharges and reducing admissions. This investment is part of our commitment to shift more care out of hospital and into the community, where people want to be.”

The DFG supports around 60,000 older people and people with disabilities each year, with an average grant of around £10,000.

Home adaptations also play a crucial role in supporting the NHS by preventing falls and other accidents in the home, speeding up hospital discharges and reducing admissions – easing pressure on the health service and helping to shift care out of hospital and into the community.

Walsall Council has released a new tender opportunity for suppliers able to deliver Disabled Facility Building Works, Handyperson Services, and additional building works across the region. This framework may be of interest to BHTA members working in property adaptations, independent living solutions, and associated building services.

Overview of the opportunity

The tender establishes a multi-lot framework intended to support a range of works linked to Disabled Facility Grants (DFGs), wider adaptations, and general building improvements. The total estimated value of the framework is £14.64 million (excluding VAT), with contracts expected to run from 1 May 2026 to 30 April 2029, and a potential extension to 30 April 2030.

The framework has no cap on the number of suppliers, and SMEs are noted as being particularly suitable to apply. Walsall Council may award work either with or without further competition once the framework is established.

Lots available

Lot 1: Disabled Facility Grants and Similar Adaptations
Covers building works associated with DFG-funded and similar adaptations in occupied and unoccupied properties.

Lot 2: Handyperson Service
Includes the provision of minor works, repairs, and small-scale adaptations delivered as part of a handyperson service.

Lot 3: Additional Building Works
Focuses on broader property improvements, refurbishment, repairs, and enhancements to housing—including empty homes—and other council-owned stock.

Submission details

• Tender deadline: 12pm, 16 January 2026
• Procedure: Open procedure
• Estimated award date: 1 March 2026
• Submission method: Via the In-Tend e-tendering portal

The tender documents outline full specifications, participation requirements, and framework operation details. Suppliers may apply for one or more lots.

Award criteria

Bids will be evaluated against the following criteria:

• Price – 70%
• Quality – 30%

Details of the qualitative evaluation are provided within the Council’s ITT documents.

Accessing the documents

All tender documents and submission instructions are available at:
https://in-tendhost.co.uk/walsallcouncil/aspx/Home

Members intending to bid are encouraged to review the full specification and requirements well ahead of the submission deadline.