Discretionary Home Improvements Assistance
Home Improvements Assistance
Purpose/Key outcomes
A discretionary assistance to reduce the risk of a fall in the home of a vulnerable person; prevent hospitalisation or re-housing by carrying out repairs or improvements to deal with significant risks to health or safety to allow a vulnerable occupant to remain in their home. To fund improvements to rental properties to prevent homelessness and allow the Council to discharge its homeless duties. To bring long term empty properties (empty longer than six months) back into use.
Eligibility Criteria (Applicant)
Applicant must be over 18 years of age.
For owner occupiers or tenants with a repairing obligation in receipt of a means tested benefit*, private sector landlords or empty homeowners.
Other forms of funding have been fully investigated and exhausted.
Applicant not in Council Tax arrears.
Eligibility Criteria (Property)
The dwelling house must be at least ten years old.
Where the Technical Officer considers essential works are necessary to eliminate significant risks to current occupiers’ health and safety or considers improvements are necessary to facilitate occupation to prevent homelessness.
Conditions
Repayable on sale of the property.
Maximum Assistance
Maximum £10,000