Agenda item - Housing Disabled Facilities Grant Policy

Report of Executive Director Neighbourhoods, Communities & Housing (copy attached).

(1)    That committee adopt the draft policy attached at Appendix 1 to introduce a programme of innovative housing interventions while also maintaining our statutory requirement to provide a Disabled Facilities Grant.

(2)    That it is noted that the housing interventions will be delivered primarily in partnership with the local Home Improvement Agency (HIA).

(3)    That it is noted that the contribution to the wider strategic aims and promotion of independent living and well being for older and disabled adults and disabled children and their families.

25.1   The Committee considered a report of the Executive Director, Neighbourhoods, Communities & Housing which outlined proposals for a policy under the Regulatory Reform Order (RRO) 2002 Housing Renewal to fund a wider range of housing interventions to more pro-actively help people living in the private sector with renewals, repairs and adaptations in their homes funded through the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG). The report was presented by the Operational Manager Housing Adaptations.

25.2   Councillor Mears welcomed the report and supported a policy that would help to allow people to remain in their homes for longer.

25.3 In answer to questions from Councillor Mears the following responses were provided. In relation to paragraph 3.9 on page 43, the DFG allocated 1.7m of which the Better Care Fund confirmed that £1.53m was transferred to the Housing Adaptation Service.  The Better Care Board decided to spend the remaining money in other ways.  The report mentioned the potential for Estate Services to deliver some of the Handyperson Services in the private sector, strictly on the basis that the work would be recharged to the Disabled Facilities Grant, so it would not be paid for out of the Housing Revenue Account.  

25.4 Councillor Moonan stressed the importance of helping people leave hospital and move back to their own homes. In answer to queries put by Councillor Moonan it was explained that a number of grants were not means tested as there was a need to speed up the process of hospital discharge. There was a cost benefit of speeding up the process and the grants were unlikely to go to people who had substantial means. Officers could keep this matter under review and if a number of applications came from the same person it would highlight problems.

25.5 Councillor Gibson welcomed the report and supported the objective. In response to questions it was explained that the Disabled Facilities Grant was only for private tenants. Council tenants could access a whole range of support services which are not available to private residents. 

25.6 Councillor Yates stressed the importance of the speeding up and delivery of the new disabled facilities whether delivered through housing funding or the Disabled Facilities Grant. Bringing services together into one place so that skills, knowledge and experience could be shared was to be welcomed.

25.7   RESOLVED:-

(1)    That committee adopt the draft policy attached at Appendix 1 to introduce a programme of innovative housing interventions while also maintaining our statutory requirement to provide a Disabled Facilities Grant.

(2)    That it is noted that the housing interventions will be delivered primarily in partnership with the local Home Improvement Agency (HIA).

(3)    That it is noted that the contribution to the wider strategic aims and promotion of independent living and wellbeing for older and disabled adults and disabled children and their families.