Home improvement agencies (HIA)


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.

Find out more

  • Find my HIA - enter your postcode to find a Home Improvement Agency near you
  • Foundations (England) - the national body for home improvement agency and handyperson services
  • Care & Repair Scotland - enabling older and disabled people to stay in their own homes
  • Care & Repair Cymru - charity working to ensure that older people can live independently in accessible homes