Extra Care Fund Secures Increase

The Department of Health has confirmed funding of £80m over two years (2008-10) for the Extra Care Housing Fund in a flurry of housing-related announcements and developments.

Local authorities will now bid for a slice of the funding to use on extra care schemes which will help older people and those with long-term conditions to live in a home of their own.

The figure represents a 25% increase on the allocation for the previous round and brings to nearly £230m the total made available since the fund's launch in 2004.

The Housing LIN will be involved in assessing applications against criteria emphasising a proven need for help in expanding such provision and developing effective local commissioning arrangements between local partners.

Further information is available from www.icn.csip.org.uk/housing with bidding guidance available from (take from housing newsletter).

Applications close at Midnight on 12 May.

February also saw publication of CLG's Housing Strategy for an Ageing Society (CLG Link). To help councils and their partners implement the strategy locally, the Housing LIN produced a guide, More Choice, Greater Voice (opens new window).