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V26-366 : AVAILABILITY OF GRANT AID FOR DISCRETIONARY HOUSING GRANTS

The report of the Director of Housing and Environmental Services dealt with the payment of Discretionary Housing Grants, identifying that existing policies were severely restricting the approval of applications and may lead to a severe underspend in the financial year.

Accordingly it was recommended that the existing policy with regard to the payment of Discretionary Housing Grants be revoked and a new policy adopted which in effect applied the policy at present in use in the Kirkley Regeneration Initiative Area and the Harbour Ward Area.

The policy would be kept under review and brought back to Committee by the 31 October 1998 in case further corrective action was necessary.

Members asked that a clear message be sent out that the changes in policy were for a limited period until the situation was reassessed in October. Also that favourable consideration would be given to young people on the first step of the property ladder wishing to bring properties presently considered unfit back into the housing stock.

RESOLVED

1. That the existing Council policy with regard to payment of Discretionary Housing Grants be rescinded.

2. That a new policy be adopted to the effect that, with the exception of the circumstances referred at 3. below, generally any application for a Discretionary Housing Grant be determined on the basis that it will be approved providing that it meets and satisfies the requirements of means testing and such other requirements set out in statute, or regulations made thereunder.

3. That in relation to applications for Discretionary Home Repairs Assistance Grants the policy at 2. above be amended to additionally exclude, in general
circumstances, those applicants:
(a) who are of pensionable age but have savings in excess of £5k. (b) who are under pensionable age but not in receipt of Income support, Income Based Job Seekers Allowance or Family Credit.

4. That the Director of Housing and Environmental Services be given delegated authority to determine all applications for Discretionary Housing Grants made in accordance with the new policy referred to at 2. and 3. above.

5. That any applications for Discretionary Housing Grant which do not satisfy the new policy, (including those referred to in the exceptions detailed at 3. above) be referred to the Housing Sub-Committee for determination on a case by case basis.

6. That landlords of property which is let, and thus not owner/occupied, be invited to apply for Discretionary Housing Grants on the basis that:
(a) in general terms, only applications which will assist with the conversion of property from single unit accommodation (such as multiple occupancy
accommodation) to self contained flats or other suitable forms of family accommodation (such as single family dwellings houses) will be considered. All applications shall meet the requirements and objectives of the Housing Grants regime and the Financial Subsidy Regulations etc.
(b) Any application from a landlord be referred to the Housing Sub Committee for determination.

7. That, as appropriate, the availability of Housing Grants within the relevant policy criteria, be promoted either by advertising or leafleting.

8. That the activity of grant applications and payments be monitored and reviewed by no later than 31 October, 1998.

*Policy Decision

Volume 26 Minute 366

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