This discretionary assistance is intended to ensure that vulnerable persons remain in their homes in safe, warm and healthy conditions. It is available to homeowners that do not have sufficient financial resources to maintain their homes in a safe, health enabling condition free of serious defects or hazards. The assistance is repayable on sale, transfer or disposal of the property and does not accrue interest charges.
Eligible Applicants
- Owner occupiers or private tenants with a repairing responsibility, having savings of less than £16,000 and in receipt of one or more of the following means-tested benefits: - Income Support, Guaranteed Pension Credit, Income-based Employment Support Allowance (ESA), Income-based Job Seekers Allowance (JSA), Working Tax Credit, Universal Credit, Housing/Council Tax Support (not including single person or disabled person discount).
Qualifying Criteria
- The property is the applicant’s permanent and legal residence.
- The property is in need of essential repairs as determined by the Housing Act 2004 to address Category 1 or significant Category 2 hazards as determined under the Housing Health & Safety Rating System, in order to make the property safe, warm, weatherproof and healthy for the occupants
- No assistance will be granted in respect of properties built or converted less than 10 years prior to the application date.
Conditions
- Only one application for assistance will be considered up to a maximum of £10,000 within any 5 year period. Where exceptional circumstances exist this condition may be relaxed at the discretion of Head of Strategic Housing.
- Assistance is repayable in full to the council on sale, transfer or other disposal of the property. A Local Land Charge will be placed on the property for this purpose.
- The applicant must have lived at the property for a minimum of 12 months immediately prior to the application date as his/her sole permanent residence.
- The approved works must be completed within 12 months of the date of approval.
- Where the works are in respect of common parts or group repair assistance will only be considered to a reasonable sum or proportion of costs reflecting the applicant’s liability.
Maximum Grant
£10,000
Applying
Millbrook Health provides independent advice, support and practical help to older people, people with disabilities and those on low incomes who need to repair, improve, or adapt their homes. If you require further information, please contact Millbrook Health on the details below:
Millbrook Health Telephone: 03301248205
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