Our Guide to funding for modular extensions that enhance accessible living

Whilst traditional builds can easily take 4–6 months, modular extensions can be delivered in weeks, which dramatically reduces the period someone spends in unsuitable accommodation.

That is why modular is starting to become very attractive to those in charge of the distribution and signing off of grants, such as councils and Occupational Therapists.

Here are a few insights into whether your project might be able to attract grant funding.

1. Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) Main Funding Route

DFG This is the primary government funding for accessible home adaptations in the UK.

You might be able to get a grant if you are physically or mentally disabled, have age-related needs, have learning difficulties or have a dementia-like impairment.

All grants will be means-tested, therefore will be dependent on such factors as income, savings and finances.

The grant can be used for major accessibility works such as building a ground-floor modular extension or granny annexe.

A typical DFG-funded scheme could be an accessible extension including:

• ground-floor annexe
• wet room
• step-free access
• wider doors

2. Council Discretionary Adaptation Grants

Some local authorities offer extra grants designed to supplement the DFG, for example:

• Discretionary top-up grants
• Loans secured against the property
• Additional council adaptation budgets

These supplementary grants are often used when:

• an extension exceeds £30,000
• a full annexe such as a granny annexe is required
• the property needs major reconfiguration to meet the needs of the person living there.

3. NHS / Social Care Supported Adaptations

If a modular extension that is built to be accessible can reduce long term care costs, in some cases the NHS or social services may also contribute 

Some examples are:

• hospital discharge adaptations
• dementia-friendly layouts
• wheelchair housing adaptations
• assisted living extensions

The assessment usually comes from an Occupational Therapist and will differ on a person-by-person basis.

4. Charities and Specialist Funding

Depending on your circumstances, you may also be able to access contributions from charities. These are likely to be smaller ‘top up’ grants than those mentioned about, and could come from organisations  such as:

• Independence at Home
• SSAFA (for veterans)
• Turn2Us
• Local disability charities

Accessible Living: Compliance with UK Building Regulations

Accessible living spaces must comply with UK Building Regulations to ensure they are safe and suitable for occupants with limited mobility.

The key legislation relating to accessibility is Approved Document M. This regulation establishes three categories of accessibility for residential dwellings:

M4(1) – Visitable Dwellings

This is the basic standard required for all new homes. It ensures reasonable access to the entrance level of a property and basic accessibility for visitors.

M4(2) – Accessible and Adaptable Dwellings

This higher standard ensures homes are designed so they can be easily adapted for people with reduced mobility. Typical features include step-free access, wider doorways, accessible entrance-level bathrooms and sufficient circulation space. 

M4(3) – Wheelchair User Dwellings

This category is designed for full-time wheelchair users and requires larger circulation spaces, accessible kitchens and bathrooms, and layouts that allow wheelchair manoeuvring throughout the home. 

Many local planning authorities increasingly require new homes to meet M4(2) as a minimum standard to support inclusive housing needs.