Warrington Borough Council has given the go-ahead for two new contracts to deliver the Warrington Home Improvement Agency (WHIA), a service that helps vulnerable residents obtain adaptations, grants and small-scale home improvements.
Short-term deal continues long-running partnership
The cabinet approved the agreements at its meeting last Wednesday. The contracts will run from 1 November 2026 to 31 October 2027, with an option to extend for a further 12 months. The council has commissioned Warrington Housing Association (WHA) to provide WHIA services since 2007, first under a formal contract and, since 2016, through a collaboration agreement.
The service covers a range of work intended to support people with mobility problems and other conditions that limit day-to-day activity. The report considered by councillors listed the main elements of the WHIA role as:
- Minor adaptations such as grab rails and ramps;
- Small complex improvements to improve accessibility and safety;
- Administration and delivery of Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs) and other discretionary grants and loans under the housing renewal policy.
Council frames move as protection for vulnerable residents
Cabinet member for health, wellbeing and social care, Cllr Tony Higgins, described the report as placing people “at the very core of what we do best” and said the contracts will support “the most vulnerable”. He told colleagues the proposals were among the most important he had presented because of their impact on residents with challenging mobility needs.
“It is life-changing for so many residents, who live with various life-challenging conditions.” — Cllr Tony Higgins
Council leader Cllr Hans Mundry said the decision showed the authority’s commitment to being “a caring council”, adding that it demonstrated the council was delivering for vulnerable people “at their time of need”.
“Warrington Borough Council delivering for our most vulnerable people at their time of need.” — Cllr Hans Mundry
What this means on the ground
The contracts preserve continuity of a service that residents and professionals rely on to make homes safer and more accessible. By continuing the WHIA arrangement with Warrington Housing Association, the council avoids an immediate interruption to assessments, adaptations and grant processing while it considers longer-term arrangements.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Provider | Warrington Housing Association (WHA) |
| Service | Warrington Home Improvement Agency (WHIA): minor adaptations, small complex improvements, Disabled Facilities Grants, discretionary grants/loans |
| Contract period | 1 November 2026 – 31 October 2027 (with option to extend by 12 months) |
Practically, that means work such as fitting stairlifts, installing accessible bathrooms, providing emergency repairs linked to safety and processing DFG applications will continue under the WHA-managed WHIA for the coming year. The council report makes clear the service is aimed at people whose mobility limits their ability to enjoy everyday life.
Questions for the future
While the decision preserves services in the short term, it leaves open questions about longer-term delivery and funding. The contract term is deliberately limited to 12 months, with an extension option, signalling the council may be planning a wider review or retender later. Councillors framed the award in terms of immediate need and continuity rather than as a final long-term settlement.
For residents requiring adaptations, the practical message is straightforward: the WHIA will continue to operate under WHA from November, and applications for DFGs and related help should continue to be processed. For local campaigners and partner organisations, attention will likely shift to what the council proposes beyond October 2027.
The approval underlines the council’s stated priority of supporting those with the greatest needs in the borough. In a city the size of Warrington, maintaining access to adaptations and housing support can be the difference between independent living and institutional care for some households — which is why councillors described the move as “life-changing”.
Residents with queries about the WHIA service should contact Warrington Borough Council or Warrington Housing Association for the latest information on applications and support pathways.
