The Regulatory Reform (Housing Assistance) (England and Wales) Order 2002 came into force on 18 July 2002. The Order repealed much of the then current prescriptive legislation governing the provision of grants etc. for the renewal of private sector housing, and replaced it with a new wide-ranging power to provide “assistance” for housing renewal.

The Order provided local authorities with a much greater degree of flexibility in devising a policy to deal with poor condition private sector housing, both in terms of the policy tools available to them, and in terms of their ability to work in partnership with others.

“Assistance” may be given for:

• The repair, improvement and adaptation of housing.
• The demolition of a dwelling and help with rebuilding costs.
• The acquisition of alternative accommodation under specified circumstances, namely where the authority proposes to purchase the existing accommodation or where the provision of alternative accommodation represents a better benefit to repairing, improving or adapting the existing property.

“Assistance” may be given directly or provided through a third party.

The Process

In devising this policy consideration has been given to the following wider strategic objectives –

• At a national level – Best Value, the UK Fuel Poverty Strategy, Supporting People, Planning Policy Guidance for Housing, and Housing Market Renewal.
• At a regional level – the Regional Housing Statement, the strategic aims and objectives of the Regional Development Agency (RDA), and Regional Planning Policy Guidance.
• At a local level – the Community Plan, neighborhood renewal, regeneration and social inclusion, crime and disorder, social care and health, equal opportunities and diversity, fuel poverty and energy efficiency, and planning and land use.

To identify local issues, needs and expectations the following information has been used –

• The results of the 2001/02 Borough-wide Private Sector House Condition Survey.
• The results of the 2005/06 Borough-wide Housing Needs Survey.
• Knowledge and understanding of the local housing market.
• Details of the prevailing social and economic conditions, including fuel poverty.
• Profiles of the age and health of the local population.
• Data indicating demographic changes and trends.

When considering how best to deliver the key outcomes of the new policy, the authority has looked critically at existing partnerships and explored the potential to engage with new and varied partners.

As appropriate, the policy is –

• Client Based – Driven by the needs of a particular client group, for example, the disabled, the elderly, the infirm or other vulnerable people.
• Area Based – Driven by the need to improve a well-defined and discrete group of houses, for example, the Stanhope Estate.
• Property Based – Driven by the need to improve certain types of property, for example, system-built houses.
• Sector Based – Driven by the need to improve, for example, the private rented sector.
• Theme Based – Driven by the need to tackle or support, for example, fuel poverty and energy efficiency, security or crime prevention initiatives, home accident prevention, and hospital discharge initiatives.

Important Protections

In order to give protection to those who are given “assistance”, whatever form that “assistance” takes, the Order required authorities to –

• Set out in writing the terms and conditions under which “assistance” is being given.
• Be satisfied, before giving “assistance”, that the person concerned has received appropriate advice or information about the extent and nature of any obligation (financial or otherwise) that they will be taking on.
• Have regard, before making a loan, or requiring repayment of a loan or grant, to the ability of the person concerned to afford to make a contribution or repayment.

Adoption of the Policy

The policy has been –

• Formally adopted by the authority.
• Subject to public notice.

The policy is –

• Available for inspection, free of charge, at all reasonable times, at the Civic Centre.
• Available as a summary, by post.
• Available as a summary, on the authority’s web-site.

Monitoring and Revising the Policy

Regular monitoring of the policy against performance targets, together with the broader aims and objectives of the policy, is undertaken. This is achieved through, amongst other measures, customer consultation work such as focus groups, and customer satisfaction surveys. Also, regular update stock condition and housing needs surveys are undertaken (resources permitting), and the circumstances of local housing markets, demographic trends and socio-economic factors are evaluated.

Where significant changes to the policy need to be made they are reported to Members for adoption and subsequent publication. Minor changes, which do not affect the broad thrust of policy direction, are accommodated without a formal re-adoption process.

View the Policy