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Housing Assistance 2021 Policy (A4).qxp_Layout 1 01/04/2021 10:58 Page 1
City of Wolverhampton Council
Private Sector Housing
Assistance Policy
wolverhampton.gov.uk
Housing Assistance 2021 Policy (A4).qxp_Layout 1 01/04/2021 10:58 Page 2
Contents
1.0 Introduction 3
2.0 Statutory Context 3
3.0 Funding 4
4.0 Assessment and Delivery 5
5.0 Applying for Assistance 5
6.0 Cases falling outside the policy 5
7.0 Complaints and Redress 5
8.0 Monitoring and Review 6
9.0 Summary of Assistance Available 7
Appendix A - Details of Disabled Facilities Grant 9
Purpose | Amount Available | Eligibility | Means Testing | Other Conditions
Appendix B - Details of discretionary financial assistance 11
Disabled Facilities Top Up Grant | Contribution Assistance Loan
Disabled Facilities Feasibility Grant | Small Adaptations Grant | Technology Enabled Care Grant
Living Well Grant | Home not Hospital Assistance | Relocation Grant | Handy Person
Affordable Warmth Grant | Healthy Homes Assistance | Hoarders Assistance
Mobile Homes and Residential House Boats | Stairlift Maintenance Grant
Appendix C - Repayment of Disabled Facilities Grant 16
Power to reclaim Disabled Facilities Grant | Application of Section 52 of the Act
Wolverhampton City Council Policy | Considerations | Exceptions
Informing Grant applicants | Repayment
2 City of Wolverhampton Council wolverhampton.gov.ukHousing Assistance 2021 Policy (A4).qxp_Layout 1 01/04/2021 10:58 Page 3
Private Sector Housing Assistance Policy
1.0 Introduction The assistance provided through this
policy contributes specifically to ‘safe and
1.1 The Private Sector Housing Assistance
healthy homes’ and ‘access to a secure
Policy (the Policy) details the financial
home’.
assistance available from the Council to
qualifying home owners, private tenants, 2.0 Statutory Context
and tenants of Registered Providers
(housing associations) to improve their 2.1 Council powers to provide financial
living conditions and enable independent assistance for home repairs and
living. It consolidates measures adaptations are governed by:
introduced over a long period of time as 2.2 Housing Grants, Construction and
well as introduces new assistance to Regeneration Act 1996 – the remaining
cover a wide range of situations. relevant parts of this Act provide the basis
1.0 The Policy sits alongside the Council’s for the provision of Disabled Facilities
Housing Strategy 2019-2024 which sets Grants (DFG), which are financial grants to
out the Council’s plans for housing in the help with the cost of adapting a property
city which in turn is driven by the City of to meet the needs of a disabled occupant.
Wolverhampton Council Plan. The goal of 2.3 It is mandatory for assistance to be
the Council Plan is to ‘work together to be provided to those that are eligible.
a city of opportunity’ and has six strategic
2.4 Regulatory Reform (Housing Assistance)
outcomes:
(England and Wales) Order 2002 (RRO) -
• Children and young people get provides local authorities with the
the best possible start in life discretion to provide assistance for the
• Well skilled people working in purpose of improving living conditions so
an inclusive economy homes are safe to live in. This includes the
• More good jobs and investment use of DFG funding to support strategic
in our city priorities which integrate health, wellbeing
• Better homes for all and housing, for the benefit of local
people.
• Strong, resilient and healthy
communities 2.5 In order to use the powers provided in the
• A vibrant, green city we can all RRO the Council must adopt a policy for
be proud of the provision of the assistance. The Policy
complies with that requirement.
1.3 The Housing Strategy sets out how the
Council Plan priority ‘Better Homes for All’ 2.6 The award of any financial assistance
will be achieved and identifies three under the Policy through the powers
priorities for action: provided by the RRO are subject to the
availability of funding, with financial
• More and better homes
assistance provided at the discretion of
• Safe and healthy homes the Council. Schemes may be withdrawn
• Access to a secure home at any time and without notice.
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2.7 Housing Act 2004 - The Housing Act (particularly from falls), and helping to
2004 sets out that a Council shall take reduce/delay expensive care packages.
action where it finds serious hazards to
2.11 During the lifetime of this policy, it is the
remove or reduce the risk of harm as
intention of the Council to establish a
identified by the Housing, Health and
Home improvement Agency. The Home
Safety Rating System.
Improvement Agency will be set up and
2.8 It is the Council’s expectation that run by the Council’s arm’s length
homeowners will maintain their own management organisation,
property so that it remains safe, but Wolverhampton Homes who deliver the
accepts that some homeowners, assistance covered by this policy. A tenure
particularly the elderly and most neutral service, the Home Improvement
vulnerable, may not have the necessary Agency will provide and coordinate
resources to do so. In certain advice, support and assistance to people
circumstances the Council will offer advice living in the city to ensure that their home
and/or assist homeowners to do so. supports their on-going needs and
reduces, prevents or delays any need for
2.9 Better Care Fund – The Better Care Fund
social care or health interventions
Planning Requirements sets out the
wherever practical.
detailed requirements to local areas on
developing and implementing Better Care
3.0 Funding
Fund plans. It encourages the use of DFG
funding in addition to the provision of the 3.1 As well as using its own resources, the
mandatory DFG, to support assistance Council receives an allocation from central
that improves integration of housing, government each year to help vulnerable
social care and health services, with the people with adaptations and other
aims of achieving a preventative approach measures to maintain their independence.
to care, reducing hospital admissions, Since 2015, the Council has been
improving hospital discharge and reducing required to consider its housing support
inequalities. This should have the effect of for vulnerable residents as part of a wider
improving the health and wellbeing of partnership with social care and health
assisted householders and achieving through the Better Care Fund, which
savings overall. pools resources to support the better
integration of services.
2.10 These objectives have been translated
into the local Wolverhampton Better Care 3.2 Additional funding will be sought from the
Fund Narrative Plan, which recognises the Energy Company Obligation where this is
role that housing plays in people’s health applicable as well as other sources that
and wellbeing, and the contribution that may become available.
can be made by helping people to
maintain and adapt their homes, in
reducing hospital discharge times,
preventing admission/re-admission
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4.0 Assessment and Delivery 6.0 Cases falling outside
4.1 Wolverhampton Homes, Home the policy
Improvement Agency (HIA) will undertake 6.1 Officers dealing with applications will
the approval and delivery of all grants and endeavour to apply grant conditions
other forms of discretionary financial flexibly and sensitively in order to support
assistance. those in need of help. They will seek
4.2 All grants are subject to certain eligibility permission to consider unusual or ‘one-
criteria and other conditions – for full off’ cases and to approve applications
details of each see Appendix A for the where they fall within the spirit of this
details on the Disabled Facilities Grant and policy.
Appendix B for all other discretionary 6.2 Cases falling outside this policy but where
grants. Wolverhampton Homes has assessed the
circumstances as exceptional may be
5.0 Applying for Assistance submitted to the Council for consideration
5.1 The route to applying for financial with formal approval required from Cabinet
assistance is intended to be as simple and in the form of an Individual Executive
transparent as possible. If you think that Decision Notice.
you, or someone that you know may
qualify for help, please contact 7.0 Complaints and Redress
Wolverhampton Homes: Telephone 01902 7.1 Any decision made under the Policy may
556789 or email via the website be reviewed at the request of the
www.wolverhamptonhomes.org.uk applicant. In the first instance any
Wolverhampton Homes will be able to complaint will be considered under the
advise you on the different types of Wolverhampton Homes’ complaint policy
assistance you may be eligible for. (https://www.wolverhamptonhomes.org.u
5.2 Someone will contact you within 5 k/aboutus/contact-us/compliments-
working days about your enquiry, and to complaints-and-suggestions ). However,
guide you through the process. In all any unresolved complaints may be
cases a completed, signed and dated referred to City of Wolverhampton Council
application form will be required in support for further review under their complaint’s
of any application together with procedure.
confirmation of ownership of the property 7.2 Cases that are directly considered by the
or permission from your landlord, and of Council are subject to the Council’s
any qualifying benefits, or other financial complaints procedure, which can be
information as necessary. found here.
www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/customer-
feedback/make-complaint)
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8.0 Monitoring and Review
8.1 Regular monitoring of the delivery of the
policy and equalities analysis will be
carried out to ensure that implementation
is satisfactory and continues to meet local
needs including equality analysis and will
be reported to the Council’s Better Homes
Board and/or Scrutiny Panel from time to
time.
8.2 The contents of the policy will also be
reviewed from time to time to ensure the
assistance provided remains relevant and
keeps abreast of any national legislative
changes or best practice.
8.3 A full review of the policy should be
undertaken no longer than five years
following adoption.
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9.0 Summary of Assistance Available
Assistance Funding Max Financial Eligibility Objective
Mandatory Up to £30,000 Means Tested To assist disabled people to remain
Disabled independent in their own home
Facilities Grant
Disabled Facilities Up to £20,000 Means Tested To speed up application processing
Top Up Grant where the DFG doesn’t cover the
whole of the works
Contribution Up to £10,000 Means Tested To ensure that recommended DFG works
Assistance Loan can be carried out where the applicant is
unable to afford their assessed contribution
Feasibility Grant Up to £2,000 Means Tested To assist with identifying the best solution
to meet of the needs of the DFG
Small Adaptations Up to £8,500 Means tested between To provide a speedier process where
Grant the ages of 18-64 there is a risk to health and safety due to
unless parent/carer of the need for aids and adaptations within
a disabled child. the home.
Technology Up to £5,000 Means tested between To facilitate disabled people to remain
Enabled the ages of 18-64 living at home where a bespoke package
Care Grant unless parent of a is needed over and above existing
disabled child. assistive technology provision
Living Well Grant Up to £10,000 Means Tested To support households with a
neurological disorder or/ and frailty to
remain independent in their own home.
Home not Up to £5,000 Non-Means Tested To enable hospital discharge and prevent
Hospital Strict criteria for hospital admission.
Assistance referral process.
Relocation Grant Up to £5,000 Means Tested To assist disabled people to move more
quickly where their current home is
unsuitable or too costly for work to be
carried out
Handy Person Up to 4 visits Means Tested To provide a speedy process for minor
per year between the ages of works to support independence in
18-64 unless parent the home
of a disabled child.
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Assistance Funding Max Financial Eligibility Objective
Affordable Up to £8,000 Means Tested To reduce fuel poverty and prevent
Warmth Grant further impact on long term health
conditions enabling households to
remain in their home
Healthy Homes Up to £10,000 Means Tested To offer financial support to a vulnerable
Assistance between the ages of household where the property is
18-64 unless parent considered to pose a serious risk to the
of a disabled child. healthy and safety of occupants.
Hoarders Up to £5,000 Free in first instance To provide added support where there
Assistance where referral made is a multi-agency response to a
by Wolverhampton household needs.
Hoarding Panel.
Any future clearance
may be subject to
re-charge.
Mobile Homes Up to £10,000 Means Tested To provide necessary repairs and reduce
and Residential between the ages of fuel poverty to enable households to
House Boats 18-64 unless parent remain in their home.
of a disabled child
Safe Homes Grant Up to £5,000 Non means tested. To help victims of crime to feel safe and be
Strict criteria for able to remain in their home by carrying
referral process. out any recommended improvements to
the security in their home.
Stairlift Up to £2,500 Means tested between For the repair of any installed stairlift (either
Maintenance the ages of 18-64 through the Small Adaptation Grant or the
Grant unless parent/carer of Disabled Facilities Grant) following the
a disabled child. expiry of the warranty period.
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Appendix A
Details of Disabled Facilities Grant
Purpose • Provision of a room containing a WC or
The main provisions governing mandatory facilitating the use of such a facility
DFGs are set out in the Housing Grants, • Provision of a room containing a wash hand
Construction and Regeneration Act 1996. basin or facilitating the use of such a facility
Applicants for DFG should normally be • Facilitating the preparation and cooking of
referred by a relevant occupational therapist or food (only if used by the disabled person)
a relevant healthcare professional.
• Providing or improving a heating system
All large-scale proposals will be subject to a
• Facilitating the use of power, light or heat by
feasibility visit by an Occupational Therapist,
altering the same or by providing additional
and a Surveyor or other representative of
means of control
Wolverhampton Homes. The feasibility visit will
look at the disabled person's needs identified • Facilitating access and movement around
by the Occupational Therapist and establish the dwelling to enable the disabled person
the most suitable housing solution to meet to provide care for another person
those needs. The most cost-effective • Facilitating access to and from a garden or
adaptation that meets the customer’s needs making a garden safe.
will be recommended for grant aid. In most
To qualify for assistance the applicant should
cases, properties can be adapted internally
be the homeowner or tenant, but the grant is
rather than extended.
available to adapt the home to meet the
Amount Available needs of any disabled person living in the
property to enable them to continue living
A statutory limit of £30,000 applies to any
there. Landlords may also apply for a DFG on
single application.
behalf of a disabled tenant but must satisfy
Eligibility the requirements of future occupancy. Tenants
of housing associations / Registered Providers
The following types of work, when
of social housing can apply for DFGs and are
recommended for a disabled person are
assessed for needs on the same basis as
eligible for grant provided it is “necessary and
private owners.
appropriate” for that person, and “reasonable
and practicable” having regard to the age and Means Testing
condition of the property:
Applicants for a mandatory DFG are subject
• Making the building or dwelling safe to a prescribed means test. Adaptations for
• Facilitating access to and from the building disabled children are not means tested.
Clients in receipt of the following income
• Facilitating access to or providing
related benefits at the time the application
a bedroom
is made, will be exempt from the means
• Facilitating access to the principal testing process
family room
Income support
• Provision of a room containing a bath or
shower or facilitating the use of such Income-related Jobseeker's Allowance
a facility
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Income based Employment Owner occupiers may have a local land
Support Allowance charge placed on their property on completion
of the grant. If the property is sold, assigned
Guaranteed Pension Credit
or transferred within 10 years of the grant
Housing Benefit being completed then the grant may have to
Working Tax or Child Tax Credit with be repaid. The council will have regard to The
income under £15,050 (subject to review) Housing Grants, Construction and
Regeneration Act 1996: Disabled Facilities
Universal Credit Grants (Conditions relating to approval or
payment of Grant) General Consent 2008
Other Conditions
when deciding whether to demand
The disabled person must intend to occupy repayment. The Council may accept other
the property as their only or main residence forms of security to ensure repayment (where
for a period of five years after the works are applicable).
complete (or such shorter period as the
The charge only applies where the grant is
person’s health or other relevant
more than £5,000. Where the grant is more
circumstances permit).
than £5000 only the amount over the first
In order to make an application the client must £5,000 is added as a charge. There is a
supply the following: charge limit of £10,000. The Council’s policy
• A completed and signed application form regarding the repayment of DFG grant funding
can be found at appendix C.
• Evidence of financial situation
• Evidence of ownership of the property or If the applicant has a contribution to pay, they
the right to reside at the property must ensure they have the money to cover
their share of the costs before the work
• Permission for the works to be carried out begins on site. Unforeseen and additional
• A detailed schedule of works and plans that costs will only be paid for where they are
must be agreed by the council necessary to complete the adaptation and
• Any planning or building regulation must be agreed by the council before they are
approvals undertaken. Any increase in the grant may
have an impact on the charge placed against
• Prices for the work the property.
Only the works agreed by the council will be The contract for the works is the responsibility
covered by the grant. Once the grant is of the applicant. The grant will normally be
approved there are 12 months to complete paid direct to contractors in all but the most
the works. The works must be completed by exceptional cases. No grant will be paid until a
the contractor stated on the approval satisfactory invoice has been received and the
document. No grant works should proceed works have been carried out to the
until the grant application has been processed satisfaction of the client and Council.
and formally approved and all relevant
planning, Building Regulation or landlord
approval has been obtained.
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Appendix B
Details of discretionary financial assistance
Disabled Facilities Top Up Grant Dual Residency Grant
A discretionary grant for those eligible for a A discretionary grant of up to £30,000 to
mandatory DFG, where the cost of the work provide adaptations in a second property
deemed to be necessary and appropriate where the need for adaptations in two
exceeds the maximum grant payable of locations has been confirmed by the
£30,000 can be awarded up to an additional Occupational Therapist or Social Worker. e.g.
£20,000. to support joint custody arrangements.
Eligibility Criteria Eligibility Criteria
• The applicant has been assessed as • The applicant must meet the qualifying
qualifying through the mandatory criteria for the mandatory disabled
DFG route. facilities grant.
• The work has been identified as necessary Conditions
and appropriate and the costs have been • The second property to be adapted should
validated and confirmed as reasonable and be in Wolverhampton.
practical through a formal tender process.
• The applicant must own or rent the second
Conditions property, this must be a permanent home
• Any assessed contribution would have to and excludes any holiday or temporary
be paid by the client. accommodation.
Contribution Assistance Loan Disabled Facilities Feasibility Grant
Discretionary assistance of up to £10,000 to A discretionary grant for those eligible for a
assist those applicants for a DFG who cannot mandatory DFG of up to £2,000 to allow for
afford their assessed contribution to a means- plans to be drawn up or for necessary
tested DFG. investigations to be made to determine if a
Eligibility Criteria DFG proposal is reasonable and practicable.
• The applicant has been assessed as Eligibility Criteria
qualifying through the mandatory • Any resident of Wolverhampton who has
DFG route. had recommendations made by an
• The work has been identified as necessary Occupational Therapist for necessary and
and appropriate and the costs have been appropriate works, where their mandatory
validated and confirmed as reasonable and means test indicates a contribution of less
practical through a formal tender process. than £10,000
Conditions • A property is eligible if it has been
determined by the Occupational Therapist
• A local land charge will be placed on the or Technical Officer that plans need to be
property on completion of the works. If the prepared or investigations carried out.
property is sold, assigned or transferred
within 10 years of the works being completed Conditions
then the loan may have to be repaid. • Any architect or appropriate professional
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must have necessary qualifications, • Or between the ages of 18-64 years of age
indemnity insurance and public liability if on a qualifying benefit.
insurance. • Or parent/guardian of a disabled child
Small Adaptations Grant Conditions
A discretionary, more flexible alternative to a • This will be a one-off payment only.
DFG of up to £8,500 for the provision of • Ongoing maintenance and potential running
certain stairlifts, modular ramps and ceiling costs will need to be met by the applicant.
track hoists and the routine removal of a bath • This is for technology over and above the
and provision of wet floor shower. existing telecare offer and for works not
Eligibility Criteria supported by another grant.
• Lives in the City of Wolverhampton. Living Well Grant
• Any owner occupier, private tenant, or To support individuals with a frailty, dementia,
Registered Provider tenant over 65 years neurological disorder or considerable
of age debilitating condition to remain at home and
• Or between the ages of 18-64 years of age to support carers of those people with the
if on a qualifying benefit. above diagnosis. Enabling rapid intervention
• Or parent/guardian of a disabled child. to remain independent and in their own home.
Conditions A discretionary grant of up to £10,000 is
available.
• Any work will be undertaken by a HIA
approved contractor. Eligibility Criteria
• After expiry of the warranty period the • Any resident of the City of Wolverhampton
applicant becomes responsible for any with a confirmed diagnosis of living
future maintenance. with frailty.
• Stairlifts - If, during the warranty period, the • Any resident of the City of Wolverhampton
stairlift is no longer required it will be living with a confirmed diagnosis of
removed (free of charge). neurological disorder or other considerable
debilitating condition.
Technology Enabled Care Grant Conditions
A discretionary grant of up to £5000 to • A one- off payment with ongoing
provide technology to support the applicant maintenance and potential running costs to
over and above the existing assistive be provided by the applicant.
technology telecare offer.
Eligibility Criteria Home not Hospital Assistance
• Lives in the City of Wolverhampton. To support Health and Social Care with the
• Any owner occupier, private tenant, or safe discharge to home where home is the
Registered Provider tenant over 65 years reason a discharge cannot be achieved. It will
of age also support the prevention of unnecessary
admissions to hospital. A discretionary grant
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of up to £5,000 is available to ensure that a Handy Person
patient’s property is suitable for habitation A visit to the property up to 4 times per year
following admission to hospital. to provide a range of practical support
Eligibility Criteria services for older and disabled people with
• Lives in the City of Wolverhampton. the aim of helping them maintain independent
living.
• Any owner occupier, private tenant, or
Registered Provider tenant over 65 years of Eligibility Criteria
age. • Lives in the City of Wolverhampton.
• Or between the ages of 18-64 years of age • Any owner occupier, private tenant, or
if on a qualifying benefit. Registered Provider tenant over 65 years
• Or parent/guardian of a disabled child. of age.
Conditions • Or between the ages of 18-64 years of age
if on a qualifying benefit.
This will require a referral from Hospital
Discharge Teams or professional agencies • Or parent/guardian of a disabled child.
working to prevent a hospital admission. Conditions
• Work must be identified through an
Relocation Grant
assessment by the HIA
A discretionary grant of up to £5,000 to assist
people to relocate if it is not reasonable or Affordable Warmth Grant
practicable to adapt their existing property. A grant of up to £8,000 to provide heating
Eligibility Criteria and/or energy efficiency measures to fuel
• Available to owner occupiers and private poverty and prevent ill health due to living in
tenants within the City of Wolverhampton. cold and damp homes, enabling independent
living, and reducing carbon emissions.
• Applicant must be in need of adaptations
that cannot be achieved at their existing Eligibility criteria
property. • Owner-occupiers and private rented tenants
• The applicant must meet the qualifying within the City of Wolverhampton
criteria for the mandatory disabled facilities • The property must be the applicants only or
grant. main residence, and they must have
Conditions occupied it for a minimum of 12 months
prior to application.
• The grant will not fund the legal fees
including stamp duty if there is remaining • Assistance will not be provided if the
equity following the move. property is being marketed for sale or if
there is reasonable cause to believe the
• The property the applicant is moving to
property will be sold within 3 years.
must be assessed by the Council or
delegated officer as suitable for the needs • The applicant must be in receipt of income
of the disabled person. assessed benefit as prescribed through
DFG and the Household income should be
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calculated in line with DFG means test for homeowners.
contributions. Eligibility Criteria
• The applicant or a member of the • Lives in the City of Wolverhampton.
household must suffer from a long-term
health condition that is adversely affected • Any owner occupier over 65 years of age.
by living in a cold damp home including: • Or between the ages of 18-64 years of age
• older people – 80+ (in line with higher if on a qualifying benefit.
winter fuel payments) • Or parent/guardian of a disabled child.
• households with young children (new- Conditions
born to school age) – who are premature • One grant payable per applicant
(born at 32 weeks or below and/or
• A legal charge will be placed on the
considered low birth weight – 2.5kg or
property on land registry on completion of
5.5lbs)
the grant. If the property is sold, assigned or
• other life changing or limiting illnesses transferred within 10 years of the grant
including but not restricted to: cancer,- being completed then the grant may have
Parkinson’s Disease, diabetes type 1, to be repaid.
blindness, tuberculosis
• The first £500 of any assistance is not
Conditions repayable.
• One grant payable per applicant.
Hoarders Assistance
• The costs of all work is to be repaid if the
house is sold or otherwise disposed of Up to £5,000 to support the corporate
within a three-year period from the certified safeguarding response to address and
date of completion of the works. support hoarding cases.
• The property should to be the sole Eligibility Criteria
residency and the applicant must have lived • Lives in the City of Wolverhampton.
in the property for 12 months prior to the • Any owner occupier, private tenant or
application. Registered Provider tenant.
• Referrals to the scheme will only be
Conditions
accepted on private rented homes if
received from an Environmental Health • The clearance assistance offered must form
Officer. part of a wider package of support being
provided.
• For work to private rented homes -
additional conditions will apply to these • The property must be referred through
properties regarding securing the tenancy Wolverhampton Hoarding Panel.
following the work. • Any further property clearance assistance
may have to be charged for dependant on
Healthy Homes Assistance the individual circumstances.
Up to £10,000 for property repairs and
maintenance targeted at vulnerable
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Mobile Homes and Conditions
Residential House Boats • For the repair of any installed stairlift (either
Up to £10,000 to cover essential repairs and through the Small Adaptations Grant or the
appropriate energy efficiency measures. Disabled Facilities Grant) following the
expiry of the warranty period of up to
Eligibility Criteria £2,500 on each occasion.
• Owners of mobile homes on official • The repair will be carried out by the
recognised sites within Wolverhampton Council’s nominated contractor.
and have been the owner for a minimum
• Anyone wishing to take advantage of the
of 2 years.
scheme must pay £50 to register.
• Houseboats with permanent mooring in
Wolverhampton for a minimum of 2 years.
• Any owner occupier over 65 years of age.
• Or between the ages of 18-64 years of age
if on a qualifying benefit.
• Or parent/guardian of a disabled child.
Conditions
• As residential houseboats and mobile
homes have a limited life an assessment of
the anticipated future life of the structure will
be undertaken before grant assistance is
approved.
• A minimum anticipated future life of 4 years
is required. Owners of structures with a
shorter anticipated life will receive
assistance to carry out temporary or
emergency repairs.
Stairlift Maintenance Grant
A grant of up to £2,500 for the purposes of
repairing and maintaining installed stairlifts
throughout the period of their use.
Eligibility Criteria
• Lives in the City of Wolverhampton.
• Any owner occupier over 65 years of age.
• Or between the ages of 18-64 years of age
if on a qualifying benefit.
• Or parent/guardian of a disabled child.
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Appendix C
Repayment of Disabled Facilities Grant
Power to reclaim Disabled (ii) whether the disposal of the premises
Facilities Grant is to enable the recipient to take up
employment or to change the location
The power to require repayment of certain
of his employment
Disabled Facilities Grants is contained within
the following legislation:- (iii) whether disposal is made for reasons
connected with the physical or mental
Housings Grants Construction & Regeneration health or well being of the recipient of
Act 1996: Section 34(6)(b) and 94. Disabled the grant or of a disabled occupant of
Facilities Grant (Condition relating to approval the premises; and
or payment of grant) General Consent 2008.
(iv) whether the disposal is made to
Consent. enable the recipient of the grant to live
1) Where:- with, or near, any person who is
a) A local authority approves an disabled or infirm and in need of care,
application for a grant under part 1 of which the recipient of the grant is
the Act; intending to provide or who is
intending to provide care of which the
b) The grant is for a sum exceeding
recipient of the grant is in need of by
£5000; and
reason of disability or infirmity, is
c) The applicant (“the recipient”) has a satisfied that it is reasonable in all the
qualifying owners interest in the circumstances to require repayment.
premises on which the relevant works
are carried out, Application of Section 52 of the Act
The local authority may impose the conditions The conditions in paragraph 2 are local land
(or conditions to like effect) contained in charges and are binding on any person who is
paragraph (2). for the time being the owner of the dwelling or
building.
2) The local authority may demand the
repayment by the recipient of such part Wolverhampton City Council Policy
of the grant that exceeds £5000 (but With effect from 1st April 2009 (i.e. all DFG’s
may not demand an amount that approved on or after that date)
exceeds £10,000) if:-
1) All DFG’s over £5000 are registered as a
a) the recipient disposes (whether by local land charge with the 10 year
sale, assignment, transfer or condition (DFG’s under £5000 will no
otherwise) of the premises in respect longer continue to be registered).
of which the grant was given within
2) Wolverhampton City Council will require
10years of the certified date; and
repayment of any DFG or part thereof
b) the local authority having considered:- exceeding £5000 up to the maximum of
(i) the extent to which the recipient of the £10,000 (subject to the conditions and
grant would suffer financial hardship exceptions outlined below) if the recipient
were he required to repay all or any of of the grant disposes of the property
the grant within 10 years of the “certified date” of
16 City of Wolverhampton Council wolverhampton.gov.ukHousing Assistance 2021 Policy (A4).qxp_Layout 1 01/04/2021 10:58 Page 17
the Disabled Facilities Grant. (The certified d) Whether the disposal is made to enable
date is the date that the grant is the recipient of the grant to live with, or
considered to be complete). This applies near, any person who is disabled or infirm
whether the disposal is by sale, and in need of care, which the recipient of
assignment, transfer or otherwise the grant is intending to provide or who is
including repayment from the estate of a intending to provide care of which the
deceased owner. recipient of the grant is in need of by
3) The council will consider in all cases if it is reason of disability or infirmity.
reasonable to demand repayment having
taken into account the reasons why the Informing Grant applicants
property is being disposed of. Grant applicants will be informed about this
grant condition at 3 stages of the application
Exceptions process:-
1) The council will not require repayment for 1) At initial enquiry stage
any DFG in excess of £5000 that has 2) At the time a formal offer of grant is made
been given in order to facilitate the
installation of a stairlift. 3) When the grant is completed.
2) The council will not require repayment for Repayment
any DFG in excess of £5000 that has
When the council is notified that a property
been given in order to facilitate the
which is the subject of the relevant local land
installation of a through-floor lift.
charge is being disposed of within the grant
Considerations condition period it will determine if it is
reasonable to demand repayment of the grant
In determining whether or not to require by making enquires of the owner / owners
repayment of a grant the council will consider solicitor (these enquires generally come via a
the following:- solicitor handling the sale of a property)
a) The extent to which the recipient of the Once the council has received the necessary
grant would suffer financial hardship were information the Head of Service / Adaptations
he required to repay all or any of the grant Team Manger will make the decision about
b) Whether the disposal of the premises is whether or not to require repayment and will
to enable the recipient to take up inform the owner / solicitor in writing advising
employment or to change the location of of the methods of making the repayment.
his employment The Adaptations Team will monitor
c) Whether disposal is made for reasons repayments and ensure that they are returned
connected with the physical or mental to the adaptations budget
health or well being of the recipient of the It is likely that the government will require local
grant or of a disabled occupant of the authorities to provide (annual) information
premises; and about how many grants they have reclaimed
and the amount.
Private Sector Housing Assistance Policy 17Housing Assistance 2021 Policy (A4).qxp_Layout 1 01/04/2021 10:58 Page 20
You can get this information in large print, braille, audio
or in another language by calling 01902 551155
wolverhampton.gov.uk 01902 551155
WCC 2104 03/2021
WolverhamptonToday Wolverhampton_Today @WolvesCouncil
City of Wolverhampton Council, Civic Centre, St. Peter’s Square,
Wolverhampton WV1 1SHYou can also read
