Living with a rare disease or disability during the cost of living crisis can be challenging. We have put together a centralised resource hub where you can find relevant organisations that can assist with various aspects of life. On this page you can find organisations that offer help and advice on housing. Scroll down to see links that you will find useful or you can return to the cost of living page to navigate to other resources.

Are you looking for advice about rights and responsibilities regarding housing issues? Citizens Advice advise that If housing issues arise you’ll need to know your rights and responsibilities. You could also find yourself threatened with eviction if you can't cope with your mortgage payments. On these pages you can find information about how to go about renting or buying a home or just finding somewhere to live. You can also find advice on handling problems with your landlord and help to avoid losing your home.

On this page, Citizens Advice give guidance on what help you may be eligible for in improving your home. Whether you rent or own your own home, it includes information on Disabled facilities grants, home energy efficiency schemes, home improvement agencies and getting further help.

Guidance from Citizens Advice on help with the cost of energy efficiency. Find out here if you’re eligible to apply for:

• the Boiler Upgrade Scheme

• the Connected for Warmth insulation scheme

• the Home Upgrade Grant scheme - if you don’t use mains gas to heat your home

• the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme

If you’re struggling with your mortgage rate, you may be able to get help from your mortgage lender.

There are six key ways in which the charter might help you:

• If you’re worried about repayments, you can now contact your lender for help and guidance, without any impact on your credit score.

• If you’re up to date with payments, lenders will let you switch to interest-only payments for six months.

• If you’re approaching the end of a fixed rate deal, you will have the chance to lock in a new deal 6 months ahead.

• If you’re up to date with payments, you can switch to new mortgage deals.

• You can access tailored support from your lender if you’re struggling with payments.

• Homes cannot be repossessed within 12 months of a first missed payment

If you’re a homeowner, you might be able to get help towards interest payments on:

• your mortgage

• loans you’ve taken out for certain repairs and improvements to your home

This help is called Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI)

Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG’s) - You could get a grant from your council if you’re disabled and need to make changes to your home.

Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) funding in England and Wales can help people with housing costs, including those affected by:

• the benefit cap

• removal of the spare room subsidy in the social rented sector

• Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates

You may get a DHP to cover housing costs for:

• a rent shortfall

• rent deposits

• rent in advance if you need to move home

Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG’s) - You could get a grant from your council if you’re disabled and need to make changes to your home.

A Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) is a type of financial help used for adapting the home. Some types of DFG are mandatory and are covered by legislation set out in the Housing Grants, Regeneration and Construction Act 1996. 

The Welsh Assembly Government has set a limit for a mandatory DFG of £36,000. This is the maximum amount of grant that can be awarded, but it may be reduced in circumstances where the applicant is expected to contribute towards the cost of the work.

Many local fire services in the UK offer smoke alarms for free (dependent on eligibility). This is generally as part of a home visit to assess the fire safety in your property.

Wales has three Fire and Rescue services who provide public safety information, prevention and protection programmes and emergency response cover across the country. They undertake a free safe and well visit where they deliver home fire safety information and fit smoke alarms, as well as providing advice about home security, falls prevention, scamming awareness and tackling loneliness and isolation.

Your local Fire and Rescue service will depend on where you live:

Care and Repair provides information, advice and practical services that help older people in Wales stay safe, warm and well at home. They fit disability aids and adaptations, supply home maintenance services, help maximise income and access grants, and make homes safe to return to from hospital. Support is provided to people over 60 years old, however, Some of their services are available to those under the age of 60. Find out more and see if you’re eligible via the link below.

If you are renting a property that has a banding of ‘F’ or ‘G’ on the EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) your landlord is normally required to make improvements. All properties should have a minimum EPC rating of E, unless the property is registered for an exemption. Exemption lasts for 5 years and after this time the landlord would need to reassess their options and re-register an exemption if applicable. Your landlord could be breaking the law if they are renting a property to you that has an EPC banding of ‘F’ or ‘G’.

Please do share any useful websites or support organisations focusing on cost of living so we can add them to the resources. Your support is very much appreciated.