2.1. Council powers to provide financial assistance for home repairs and adaptations are governed by:
2.2. Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 – the remaining relevant parts of this Act provide the basis for the provision of Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG), which are financial grants to help with the cost of adapting a property to meet the needs of a disabled occupant.
2.3. It is mandatory for assistance to be provided to those that are eligible.
2.4. Regulatory Reform (Housing Assistance) (England and Wales) Order 2002 (RRO) - provides local authorities with the discretion to provide assistance for the purpose of improving living conditions so homes are safe to live in. This includes the use of DFG funding to support strategic priorities which integrate health, wellbeing and housing, for the benefit of local people.
2.5. In order to use the powers provided in the RRO the council must adopt a policy for the provision of the assistance. This policy complies with that requirement.
2.6. The award of any financial assistance under this policy through the powers provided by the RRO are subject to the availability of funding, with financial assistance provided at the discretion of the council. Schemes may be withdrawn at any time and without notice.
2.7. The council has a statutory duty do fund disabled facilities grants. When 90% of the available annual budget has been committed, except for hospital discharge grants and preventing admission to hospital grants, all other discretionary assistances outlined in this policy will be withdrawn.
