Disabled-friendly conversion of residential property is subsidised

Once again this year, funding is available for the disability-friendly conversion of existing owner-occupied residential property.

15 April 2021

The Hessian Ministry of Economics, Energy, Transport and Housing will again provide subsidies for the handicapped-accessible conversion of existing owner-occupied residential property this year. Applications for subsidies for such measures can now be submitted to the housing subsidy office, which is located in the district. According to the First District Commissioner, the state government's goal is to enable people with disabilities to live independently without assistance. The provision of adequate housing for people with disabilities is one of the most urgent tasks. This means that this programme is not aimed in advance at "age-appropriate housing" without disability/grade of care, but only at people with disabilities.

Eligible for funding are structural measures, facilities and equipment on and in existing residential buildings and on the residential property (immediate residential environment), e.g. improvement of toilet rooms and bathrooms, installation of suitable lifts or the removal of steps and thresholds as well as the construction and design of ramps and stairs. Only building projects whose financing is secured and which have not yet been started before WIBank approves the funding are eligible for funding. Own work and costs of less than 1,000 euros are not eligible for funding.

The funding is project funding. It takes the form of fixed-amount financing. The grant amounts to up to 50 percent of the measure-related conversion costs of the dwelling used by the owner or relatives themselves. The following maximum grant amounts apply to eligible measures:

  • Bathroom: conversion/installation 5,000 euros,
  • Kitchen: conversion/installation 5,000 euros,
  • Lift/elevator installation 6,000 euros,
  • all other eligible individual measures 2,500 euros

"Since experience shows that more applications for funding are received than grant funds are available, the maximum grant amounts will be reduced by the Housing Promotion Agency on a percentage basis so that as many applicants as possible can benefit from the funding," Frese explained. The ministry has stipulated that applications for funding must be submitted to the responsible office in the district by 1 October 2021.

The First District Commissioner calls on all eligible owners of owner-occupied residential property to make use of the state's offer. For further information, please call 05631 - 954 407 or send an e-mail to norbert.gothmann@lkwafkb.de.