Grant increase for homeowners to protect properties from flooding

Grant increase for homeowners to protect properties from flooding

23 July 2025

A GRANT designed to help homeowners in flood hit areas to protect their homes has been increased by almost £4,000.

The Department for Infrastructure has also confirmed that it has made improvements to the eligibility criteria and streamlined the so-called Homeowner Flood Protection Grant Scheme (HFPGS) application process. 

The news will be welcomed by residents in the Marguerite area in Newcastle where a number of homes are under continual flooding threat with the last major incident in November 2023.

Record rainfall the previous month was blamed which left residents marooned in their homes and forced to seal off exterior doors with sandbags.

The government scheme is designed to help owners of residential properties that have flooded before or are located within known flood prone areas to protect their properties from a future event.

Previously, he grant covered 90% of the costs of a property survey and installation of flood protection measures up to a maximum of £10,000 but the figure has now been increased to £13,700.

It’s also understood that more people will be eligible for help under the scheme.

DfI Minister Liz Kimmins said increasing the maximum amount of available grant is the result of taking take into account inflationary increases.

She confirmed while improvements have been made to the eligibility criteria to streamline the application process, the scheme is specifically aimed at residential properties that have flooded internally in the past and continue to be exposed to frequent flooding. 

“The scheme is intended to modify homes to make them more resistant to flooding through measures such as flood doors, airbrick covers, and non-return valves to underground drains,” she explained.

The Stormont minister said she is pleased to be able to implement the increase to the funding threshold for the HFPGS.

“This will help the owners of vulnerable homes which have flooded in the past,  from the ever-increasing threat of flooding,” said the DfI Minister.

“As climate change continues to intensify this threat, these practical solutions to help mitigate the impact of flooding by preventing or reducing water damage.”

Ms Kimmins confirmed that province-wide, over 165 properties have been fitted out with these measures already. 

“I hope this increase to the funding threshold and enhanced criteria can help boost flood resilience in more homes to bring comfort and reassurance to more eligible homeowners who  apply,” she said.

“Adapting to climate is one of the Department’s seven Foundations for a Better Future. While we cannot prevent all flooding from happening, we can reduce the impacts with appropriate improvements and development. Schemes like this are a tangible way that my Department can deliver on that vision.”