Housing Improvement and Adaptations Policy

Guidance issued with the terms of the Better Care Fund allocation encourages the use of funds to actively provide preventative assistance to provide innovative ways of addressing health priorities.

The details below summarise the assistance available, including Preventative assistance subject to resources.

Preventative Assistance is provided to underpin the principles of good early interventions to vulnerable persons to prevent injury or ill health. This is focused to reduce the need for hospital admission, additional medical interventions and services, and to reduce the burden on health and social care services through both direct and indirect savings.

The key outcomes for each type of assistance are detailed, in addition to the eligibility criteria and conditions, and maximum assistance values.

On occasion it may be appropriate for grant funding to be allocated to specific projects or initiatives where the objectives and preventative outcomes of the Better Care fund and this Policy are met.

Key outcome: To provide essential adaptations to the homes of disabled people.

Eligibility criteria: Must be applicants permanent home and must be eligible for a DFG.

Eligible works: Need for adaptations identified by an Occupational Therapist. Examples include ramps, stair lifts, wet rooms.

Conditions: Interest free, local land charge placed on property equivalent to level of assistance provided, repayment, repayable within 10 years (in some cases) or when the property is sold (if sooner).

Maximum cost: £30,000

Key outcome: To enable adaptation works recommended by an OT to be completed when mandatory DFG does not cover full funds.

Eligibility criteria: Must be eligible for a DFG. Same means test as mandatory DFG applicable.

Eligible works: Top up of up to £20,000 to cover additional costs for recipient of a Mandatory DFG (which is currently limited to £30,000).

Conditions: Interest free, local land charge placed on property equivalent to level of assistance provided. Repayable when the property is sold or transferred/let. Property must be occupied on a permanent basis by applicant unless hospital OT advises appropriate to discharge to another property.

Maximum cost: £20,000

Key outcome: To enable client in an unadaptable home to relocate to a home that meets the clients’ needs.

Eligibility criteria: Must be eligible for a DFG. Same means test as mandatory DFG applicable. An OT report confirming that new home is suitable to meet the person’s needs. Council must deem rehousing as the most suitable and cost effective solution.

Eligible works: Relocation costs including Estate Agent fees, Conveyancing fees and removal costs.

Conditions: Cost/benefit analysis of options available including relocation to a more suitable property.

New property must be occupied on a permanent basis by the applicant

Maximum cost: £15,000

Key outcome: A simpler process for applicants who require only minor adaptations.

Eligibility criteria: Eligible for a DFG and in receipt of Council Tax support. Only 1 quotation for works is required.

Eligible works: Adaptations costing less than £10,000 (for example this may include stair lifts, ramps and simple adaptations) not eligible for alternative schemes.

Conditions: Repayable as per the mandatory DFG terms for example over £5,000.

Maximum cost: £10,000

Key outcome: Preventative works outside the scope of a Mandatory DFG.

Eligibility criteria: Means tested as per DFG.

Eligible works: Works outside of mandatory DFG list as agreed by Grants Panel as necessary and preventative.

Conditions: Repayable.

Maximum cost: £15,000

Key outcome: To provide small scale works to a person’s home to help enable hospital discharge, prevent emergency hospital admissions, hospital re-admissions and repeat GP appointments.

Savings to the health and social care system are assessed and predicted (Housing Health Cost Calculator).

Eligibility criteria: Home environment is presenting a hazard to health or threat of injury under principles of Housing health and safety rating system (HHSRS).

Owner occupier (tenant in exceptional cases where enforcement action is not appropriate e.g. identified tenant responsibility issue e.g. floor coverings)

Referred via a health or social care professional (e.g. Occupational Therapist, GP for example). Direct or indirect cost savings predicted.

Eligible works: Small scale adaptations, repairs or other improvements which are specifically required to enable hospital discharge or help reduce the likelihood of hospital admission or repeat GP appointments.

Conditions: Non-repayable. Payment is on completion of works. More than one application can be made but no more than £5000 will be paid out in any 5 year period.

Maximum cost: £5,000

Key outcome: Over 60’s home improvement loan for works to improve the safety, comfort and security of their property. Empty Property Loans and Rented Property Loans. To enable owners of empty homes to undertake repairs and renovations and bring properties back into use.

Eligibility criteria: Home environment is presenting a hazard to health or threat of injury under principles of Housing health and safety rating system (HHSRS).

Owner occupier (tenant in exceptional cases where enforcement action is not appropriate e.g. identified tenant responsibility issue e.g. floor coverings)

Referred via a health or social care professional (e.g. Occupational Therapist, GP for example). Direct or indirect cost savings predicted.

Eligible works: Repair or replacement works to the building structure. Energy efficiency and heating improvements. Works to improve security for example, alarm installation. Adaptations to enable a disabled person to continue to live in the property.

Conditions: Flexible repayment terms. The loan is to be repaid in full at sale of the property. For Empty Home Loans, the loan must be repaid within 5 years.

Maximum cost: Variable depending on available funds which are allocated quarterly by the Flexible Home Improvement Loan Company.

Key outcome: To enable discharge from hospital or healthcare setting.

Eligibility criteria: Referred by a medical or social care professional agreed by the Housing Service Client awaiting discharge at time of referral.

Eligible works: Deep cleans, decluttering and waste disposal.

Conditions: Non-Repayable. Referrals must be approved by the Housing Service to ensure that a link to other housing conditions is assessed.

Maximum cost: Intended for small scale works less than £1,500 but no set maximum.

Key outcome: Grant available following a referral from a health professional for energy or heating improvements.

Eligibility criteria: Must be an owner occupier or referred by a health professional.

Eligible works: Works may include:

• heating improvements
• insulation
• works to remedy damp and mould

Conditions: Non-repayable. Required measures to be confirmed by Housing Enforcement Officer.

Maximum cost: £2,500

The scheme is administered by the National Energy Foundation.

Key outcome: Small scale early intervention to prevent falls, accidents in your own home and becoming victims of scams/rogue traders. Tackling social isolation.

Eligibility criteria: Any tenure. A minimum of 3 risk factors from defined list.

Eligible works: Works may include:

• security measures
• moving furniture
• fitting light bulbs
• smoke alarms

Conditions: Non-repayable. Measures identified and supplied through service provider to cover labour but not fittings or fixtures.

Maximum cost: Not applicable.

Pilot Scheme for 2019/20- Grant provided to Community Impact Bucks.