Private sector housing

The Council may be able to give assistance, in the form of a grant or a loan , for the purposes of improving housing within their area.

Work is currently underway on the new strategy for 2008, with consultation in progress.

The first of two consultation events took place in June 2007 to consult with key stakeholders on the development of our eight sub-strategies:

• affordable housing;
• empty properties;
• private sector;
• fuel poverty;
• young people;
• older people;
• disabilities;
• black and ethnic minority groups.

Several surveys have been undertaken to assist the council in the development of its housing strategies, aimed at identifying the underlying trends within the local housing market, changing population profiles and economic data. Please contact one of the officers from the Private Sector Housing for more information using the details below.

Please note that all financial assistance is discretionary and subject to availability. Conditions may be attached to any award of financial assistance.

Grants currently available

Warm Front Top Up Grants

Warm Front is a government funded scheme which provides grants to make your home warmer, healthier and more energy efficient.

You could receive a Warm Front grant of up to £2,700 for improvements. However. where the works are for installing central heating systems, the Warm Front grant may not be sufficient to cover the full cost of works and you may therefore have a contribution to make. This is where the Warm Front Top Up Grant comes in.

If you wish to apply for a Warm Front Grant, you can do so using the website (www.warmfront.co.uk) or calling free phone 0800 316 2805.

If you have a contribution to make towards the cost, contact the Private Sector Housing Department using the details below and a grant may be arranged to cover the difference.

Houseproud Scheme

If you are a homeowner aged 60 or over, or a homeowner with a disability or have a person with a disability living with you, the Houseproud Scheme can help with repairs, improvements or adaptations to your home.

Houseproud is run by a group of 'not-for-profit' organisations. Their sole aim is to help homeowners continue to live safely and independently in their home. Houseproud provides access to loans that are both affordable and risk-free, which are specially designed to meet the needs of older people and people with disabilities. A variety of loans are available through Houseproud.

With Houseproud, a part of the value of your home can be turned into a loan to meet the cost of the work. Your individual circumstances are taken into account when assessing the different types of loan available to you. In some cases, it is not even necessary to pay back the loan during your own lifetime. Instead, the amount you borrow, plus interest, can be taken from the value of your house when it is eventually sold.

For more information on Houseproud please call free phone 0800 7837569 or visit their website (www.houseproud.org.uk).

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