Home improvement agencies (HIAs) are locally based, non-profit services that help older, disabled and vulnerable people to make adaptations or improvements to their home as their needs change. There are more than 200 HIAs across the UK, sometimes called Care & Repair or Staying Put schemes.
A HIA can help access funds for adaptations (Disability Facilities Grants), or offer impartial advice and information for those able to self-fund. The aim of the service is to ensure people are able to stay living comfortably in their own home. Often, an agency will have a handyperson to call on for odd jobs, be able to help facilitate a discharge home from hospital or offer advice on home energy efficiency. The exact services each agency offers vary around the country.
