Decision details

The Council is required to adopt and publish a Housing Renewal Policy.  This policy is periodically reviewed and revised as required.  It sets out how Housing Services will provide assistance, including financial assistance, to help low-income, elderly, disabled and other vulnerable residents to undertake essential repairs and adaptations.

(1) To ADOPT the Home Health and Safety Policy 2011 as the Council’s Housing Renewal Policy;

(2) To AGREE that the budget allocations detailed within the policy are applied in conjunction with the policy;

(3) To AGREE that the policy is reviewed in 1 year.

The implementation of the policy will enable financial assistance to be allocated according to Council priorities and current housing need

Two options were considered for eligibility criteria for access to a low cost loan to remove serious housing health and safety for vulnerable households. The two options considered for eligibility as vulnerable were a) on low income; or b) on low income and over 60, disabled or with a long term life limiting illness.  Option b) is proposed in the policy.