Housing Assistance, Grants and Loans

Healthy Homes Assistance

 

The Forest of Dean District Council provides financial assistance to homeowners to help with major repairs in their properties. The Health Homes Assistance is an interest free loan that is paid back to the council when the property either changes ownership or is sold. The types of work that are covered by the loan includes;

  • Heating / Boiler repairs, replacements or installations
  • Double Glazing (if existing windows are in a state of disrepair)
  • Electrical works and re-wires
  • Damp proofing
  • Repairs to roofs, chimneys and guttering

 

In order to qualify for a Helathy Homes Assistance the following conditions apply:

  • The applicant/s must be in receipt of a means tested benefit;

For the purpose of this scheme, the means tested benefits are: -

  • Housing Benefit
  • Council Reduction
  • Income Support;
  • Employment and Support Allowance (income based)
  • Child tax credit with income less than £15,050;
  • Income-Based Job Seekers Allowance;
  • Guaranteed Pension Credit (not Savings Credit);
  • Working Tax Credit where claimant has a relevant income of less than £15,050; 

 

  • Owned and lived in the property for more than 2 years 

 - Owner-occupiers are to have owned and lived in the property for the past 2 years.  

And

  • Have a Category 1 Hazard present at the property

- Category 1 Hazards are assessed under the Housing Health and Safety Rating System this is determined by an inspection from a Private Sector Housing Officer.

If you are interested in Healthy Homes Assistance and you think you would qualify please give a member of the Private Sector Housing Team a call on 01594 812420.

 

Disabled Facilities Grants

 

Disabled Facilities Grants are available for adaptations to enable people with disabilities to live more independently in their homes. You can apply for a grant if you or a member of your household is registered disabled or could be registered. This type of grant is means tested and you will be asked to provide details of your income/pension, and any savings you may have. 

Your first point of contact should be the Social Services Helpdesk.  Their telephone number is 01452 426868.

For more information please see DFG Leaflet

 

 

Safe at Home

 

mears SAH logo

 

The Safe at Home: Enabling Independent Living across Gloucestershire service, is a countywide partnership with local company Mears, the local authority and County Council.  They will help older people and people with disabilities carry on living in their own homes safely with repairs and improvements to their homes, so that they can continue to live in greater comfort and security.

Advice is free, whether it is rising damp or a leaking roof, from small repairs to major alterations. They also provide a small repairs service for all those minor repair jobs that builders do not seem to be interested in. Jobs include putting up shelves, fitting window locks, small plumbing jobs etc. They supply and fit smoke alarms, key safes, grab rails and stair rails.
 

The service is available to people referred to Safe at Home by social care and health services, or by people who want to make changes for themselves.

For more information please see their leaflet - Safe at Home  or call their freephone number 0800 032 3139 to talk to one of their customer care team who will be happy to help with your requirements or email enquires to MHIGlos.enquiries@mearsgroup.co.uk