Barrier-free housing
Stair lifts, environmental control systems or support rails enable barrier-free living. New builds or conversions are usually financed from personal funds, but in certain cases financial support is possible.
An overview of this article:
What funding opportunities are there?
Loans or grants are available for people with disabilities and those in need of care to support self-determined participation and independent living. The funding limits vary and the amount of funding depends in part on income.
Important note
Please note that you should apply for funding before building and before signing a purchase contract and wait for written approval!
Statutory long-term care insurance
People in need of care with a recognized care degree can receive grants from the care insurance fund for measures to improve their living environment, regardless of their income, if this makes home care possible or considerably easier or restores the person in need of care to a lifestyle that is as independent as possible (§ 40, Para. 4 SGB XI).
For example, permanently installed stair lifts or door widening that involve considerable intervention in the fabric of the home are eligible, as are permanently installed technical aids and the installation and conversion of adapted furniture.
How high are the grants?
- A grant of up to EUR 4,000 per measure is possible.
- If several people in need of care live together, the grant increases to a maximum of EUR 16,000.
However, a measure is only subsidized once, even if it benefits several people in need of care and the construction measures are carried out at different times.
However, if the state of health deteriorates significantly or the level of care increases, a second home adaptation measure can be applied for.
List of measures to improve the living environment
The National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds has compiled a list of measures to improve the living environment for which long-term care insurance companies can grant financial subsidies in individual cases. The list takes particular account of digital technologies, but is not a positive list. Providers of digital technologies and other measures to improve the living environment are invited to register their innovations online. Both individuals and organizations or their authorized representatives who offer, build or distribute such measures are eligible to apply.
Housing assistance provider
Housing assistance is a financial benefit for the procurement, conversion, furnishing and maintenance of housing suitable for disabled people. It is granted by different cost bearers depending on the cause of the disability, severity, insurance periods and purpose. The regulations are specified in the individual Social Security Codes and in the Severely Disabled Persons Compensation Levy Ordinance.
- Participation in working lifeAs part of participation in working life, for example, the statutory pension insurance, the Federal Employment Agency, the statutory accident insurance or the social compensation institutions can promote barrier-free housing measures. The Integration/Inclusion Office is responsible for people with a recognized severe disability or equal status and provides support within the framework of accompanying assistance in working life subordinate to the rehabilitation providers. The housing measures must be related to the performance of the job and the accessibility of the workplace.
- Social participationFor participation in social life, assistance for adaptations inside and outside the home is possible, e.g. a wheelchair ramp in front of the house or a barrier-free kitchen.
(see betanet)
Integration assistance providers and basic security offices
The providers of integration assistance and basic income support can also help with the procurement of housing suitable for disabled people or subsidize the barrier-free conversion of an existing home.
However, these institutions only make subordinate payments if no other benefit provider is responsible. Their benefits are subject to income and asset limits and may only be granted as a loan.
Other financial aid
State and credit subsidy programs and foundations, as well as tax relief, can reduce the financial burden for barrier-free measures.
Support programs of the banking industry
The federally owned KfW Banking Group (Kreditinstitut für Wiederaufbau) offers private individuals loans and grants for barrier-free conversions, construction and the purchase of converted living space.
Loan no. 159: Age-appropriate conversion - loan
Program number 159 is a low-cost loan for the removal of barriers and improved burglary protection. Regardless of age, a maximum loan of EUR 50,000 per residential unit is granted. Private individuals, housing companies and housing cooperatives as well as tenants can apply for the loan in consultation with the landlord or landlady. The loan is processed and paid out by the respective house bank.
Grant no. 455-B: Barrier reduction - investment grant
The KfW Bank subsidizes individual measures of up to EUR 2,500 and up to EUR 6,250 for the "age-appropriate construction" standard for the removal of barriers and greater living comfort, regardless of age.
However, the two funding programs Loan 159 and Investment Grant 455 cannot be combined.
There are also other banks that grant development loans, such as NRW.Bank.
Support programs of the federal states, cities and municipalities
Many federal states, cities and municipalities have their own funding programs for age-appropriate and barrier-free conversions and extensions, often for a limited period of time and with different funding conditions. Information can be obtained from the local housing offices or the state and regional banks.
Foundations
Some foundations promote barrier-free construction or conversions, such as the Elsa Krauschitz Foundation or the Stiftung Sächsische Behindertenselbsthilfe-Otto Perl.
Tax relief
Taxpayers can claim the conversion costs as "extraordinary expenses" in their tax return. It is important to find out from your own tax office which underlays (copies of invoices, disability pass, certificates, etc.) need to be submitted before starting the conversion work.
Advice centers and show apartments
Barrier-free construction requires foresighted planning and precise calculation of the sometimes high costs. The following contact points, for example, offer specialist support:
- Housing advice centers: In Germany, there is no separate housing advice service; it is often integrated into other advice services (e.g. care support centers).
- Experts: These are specially trained specialist planners and experts for barrier-free planning, building and housing. These include the Federal Chamber of Architects (BAK), the Federal Chamber of Engineers (BIngK) and the Chambers of Crafts (e.g. Central Association for Sanitary, Heating and Air Conditioning - ZVSHK).
- Self-help associations and organizations: These institutions help with the application process or provide competent assistance (e.g. Bundesverband Selbsthilfe Körperbehinderter BSK).