Decision Maker: Housing Policy Committee

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: January 23, 2025

Purpose: Proposes amendments to the Private Sector Assistance Policy.

Content: 10.1 The committee considered a report of the Executive Director Neighbourhood Services seeking approval from the Housing Policy Committee for proposed amendments to the Private Sector Housing Assistance Policy (the Policy), which was adopted in January 2020. These proposed amendments relate to the Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) funded assistance in the Policy, including Mandatory DFGs and discretionary financial assistance. The report summarised the proposed amendments, along with the results from the public consultation.     10.2 RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Housing Policy Committee:-   1.    Consider and approve the following amendments to the Private Sector Housing Assistance Policy (Appendix 1). ·       Amendment 1 – Include Mandatory Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs) in the Policy ·       Amendment 2 – Introduce a local land charge within the Mandatory and Top Up Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs) ·       Amendment 3 – Changes to the Accelerated Adaptations Grant eligibility, to be renamed as the Accelerated Disabled Facilities Adaptations Grant ·       Amendment 4 – Removal of the Minor Works Grant ·       Amendment 5 – Amend the purpose of the Disabled Person’s Home Appreciation Loan ·       Amendment 6 – Changes to the Relocation Loan to separate out the two purposes and reduce the loan amount for the DFG element to a maximum discretionary amount of £40,000     10.3 Reasons for Decision 10.3.1 The Council has a statutory duty to provide Mandatory DFGs, and powers to provide other financial assistance for housing renewal at its discretion. The changes to the Policy will enable the Council to effectively use the DFG budget to prioritise Mandatory DFGs while offering further assistance when necessary and to those most in need.     10.3.2 We ask Committee to consider and approve the following amendments to the Private Sector Housing Assistance Policy (Appendix 1). ·       Amendment 1 – Include Mandatory Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs) in the Policy. ·       Amendment 2 – Introduce a local land charge within the Mandatory and Top Up Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs). ·       Amendment 3 – Changes to the Accelerated Adaptations Grant eligibility, to be renamed as the Accelerated Disabled Facilities Adaptations Grant. ·       Amendment 4 – Removal of the Minor Works Grant ·       Amendment 5 – Amend the purpose of the Disabled Person’s Home Appreciation Loan. ·       Amendment 6 – Changes to the Relocation Loan to separate out the two purposes and reduce the loan amount for the DFG element to a maximum of £40,000.     10.4 Alternatives Considered and Rejected     10.4.1 Alternative Option 1: Do not amend the Policy   The Policy could remain as it is with no amendments, but there is a risk that the DFG budget would not be sufficient and the statutory duty to provide Mandatory DFGs would not be met.   Additionally, no change to Policy would mean we do not apply the local land charge and do not recoup some of the funding to reinvest in further adaptations. This option is therefore not recommended.     10.4.2 Option 2 – Review the full Policy in 2025   The proposed amendments to the Policy could be delayed until a full review of the whole Policy in 2025. The proposed DFG amendments would then form part of this review.   Delaying the change until 2025 would impact on how effectively the DFG budget is used this year and going forward so this option is therefore not recommended.