The following “assistance” will be made available by the authority.

Direct Financial Assistance

Mandatory Disabled Facilities Grant

The authority will ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, that all those entitled to Mandatory Disabled Facilities Grant, are afforded the opportunity to apply for and receive said grant. The grant applicant must be an owner-occupier, a private sector tenant or a private sector landlord. Normally, the disabled person and any partner will be means tested to determine how much, if anything, they must contribute to the cost of the agreed works. If the disabled person is a child, the means test is suspended. If the disabled person is a private sector tenant, either the tenant and any partner will be means tested, or the landlord will be means tested. In all cases the works must be necessary and appropriate to the needs of the disabled person and must be reasonable and practicable having regard to the age and condition of the dwelling.

The authority works in partnership with Kent County Council Social Services in the matter of disabled adaptations and in any case must receive a recommendation from the County’s Occupational Therapy Bureau in respect of the adaptations required. “Disabled person” is defined in the governing legislation. The authority would normally expect Housing Associations to undertake adaptations from within their own resources, however, under exceptional circumstances, Housing Association tenants’ applications will be entertained. The maximum grant in any case is £25,000.00.

The works for which grant aid will normally be awarded are –

• To facilitate access to and from the dwelling.
• To make the dwelling safe.
• To facilitate access to the principal family room.
• To facilitate access to a room for sleeping.
• To facilitate access to an existing toilet or to provide an accessible toilet.
• To facilitate access to a bath/shower room or to provide an accessible bath/shower room.
• To facilitate access to a wash hand basin or to provide an accessible wash hand basin.
• To facilitate the preparation and cooking of food.
• To improve or provide a suitable heating system.
• To facilitate the use of power, light or heat by adapting existing controls or providing new controls.
• To enable the care of another person normally present in the property and in need of care.

The governing legislation is the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 as amended by the Regulatory Reform (Housing Assistance) (England and Wales) Order 2002 and the Housing Act 2004. The Order extends the availability of grant to those living in conventional housing to those living in mobile/park homes and and to those living in house-boats.

Indirect Financial Assistance and Partnership Working

Ashford Home Improvement Agency

The authority will ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, that all those eligible for assistance from the Ashford Home Improvement Agency, are afforded the opportunity to secure such assistance.

The Ashford Home Improvement Agency is supported financially by the local authority, Kent County Council and Central Government and is managed by “in touch”, a subsidiary of the Hyde Group. The agency generally offers help and advice on home improvements, repairs and adaptations to older (55 years of age or more), vulnerable and/or disabled people, assisting them to remain in their own homes in comfort and safety.

The agency is particularly adept at maximising income by ensuring that appropriate benefits are received, and sourcing money for works from a variety of organisations, including charitable bodies. The agency can also assist with applications for mandatory disabled facilities grant, ensuring that works are carried out to a good standard by using approved builders and by on-site supervision by qualified and experienced surveyors. The authority has been working in partnership with the Ashford Home Improvement Agency since 1989.

Kent Energy Centre (KEC)

The authority will ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, that all residents of the Borough are afforded the opportunity of consulting the Kent Energy Centre with regard to any matters relating to energy efficiency.

The Kent Energy Centre is supported financially by the local authority, together with all other Kent local authorities, and the Energy Saving Trust, and is managed by Creative Environmental Networks (CEN). Certain specific initiatives are supported by e.g. energy providers, such as Seeboard Energy.

The Centre was established in 2000 and provides impartial expert help and advice to local residents, and to private sector landlords. Eligible enquirers will be directed to grant or discount schemes as appropriate or given advice only, including being provided with individual energy efficiency improvement programmes based on detailed self-assessment energy surveys of their homes.

The authority will work with the Centre to implement the Kent Health and Affordable Warmth Strategy, which aims to alleviate fuel poverty throughout the County generally and within the Borough of Ashford in particular.

National Federation of Residential Landlords (NFRL)

The authority will ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, that all owners and potential owners of privately rented accommodation within the Borough are afforded the opportunity of securing help and advice from the National Federation of Residential Landlords.

The National Federation of Residential Landlords is a professional organisation of residential landlords. The Federation seeks to protect and further the interests of residential landlords, encouraging high standards of management and quality accommodation and promoting new investment.

Third Party Loan Assistance

The authority will ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, that all owners of residential accommodation within the Borough, are afforded the opportunity of securing impartial help and advice in respect of the availability of appropriate loans for essential repairs, improvements and/or adaptations. This may be by direct referral to any number of “High Street” lenders or to an appropriate independent financial advisor or to another intermediary third party organisation specialising in such work. For 2007/08 the Council has entered into a partnership agreement with the Home Improvement Trust under the “Houseproud” banner in order to further loan assistance.

General Assistance

Help and Advice

The authority will ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, that all residents of the Borough and all owners of residential accommodation within the Borough, are afforded the opportunity of securing expert, impartial help and advice in respect of housing related matters generally through suitably qualified and experienced staff within the authority. In particular, the authority will encourage sustainable home ownership by providing advice to prospective purchasers on the long-term commitments associated with owner-occupation.

Private Sector Landlords

The authority will ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, that all private sector landlords owning tenanted property within the Borough are aware of their obligations under the relevant statutory provisions. The authority will support and deliver integrated measures to ensure continued improvements in the management and standards in the private rented sector. There is a high demand for privately rented accommodation within the Borough, and the authority will encourage existing landlords to increase their portfolios and provide every assistance to potential new landlords looking to establish themselves locally.

Private Sector Tenants

The authority will ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, that all private tenants within the Borough, including Housing Association tenants, are afforded access to a comprehensive Housing Advice Service and are given support, where necessary, to ensure that their landlords meet their statutory responsibilities.

Empty Properties

The authority will ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, that all owners of vacant property within the Borough are provided with sufficient help and advice to enable them to make a considered judgement as to the future use of their property. Empty properties are a wasted resource and in sufficient numbers can have a negative impact on a neighborhood. They represent a potential source of income to an owner and also to the authority. There is a high demand for privately rented accommodation within the Borough, and a substantial number of long-term vacant properties that could provide comfortable homes for those not wishing to become owner-occupiers or to rent from the local authority or Housing Associations. Where appropriate the authority will take formal action under the relevant statutory provisions to ensure re-occupation.

Home Security

The authority will ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, that all vulnerable occupiers of residential property throughout the Borough are provided with help and advice with regard to home security, either directly, or through a third party, and as appropriate, are directed to any schemes currently operating, which can provide for the installation of suitable preventative measures.

Home Safety

The authority will ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, that all vulnerable occupiers of residential property throughout the Borough are provided with help and advice with regard to home safety measures, either directly or through a third party.

Affordable Housing

The authority will ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, that all potential residents of the Borough are afforded the opportunity, where appropriate, to access affordable housing.

Mobile Homes etc

The authority will ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, that all occupiers of residential mobile homes throughout the Borough reside on sites that meet the appropriate standards under the current licensing regime.

Decent Homes

The authority will assist, as far as is reasonably practicable, in bringing all owner-occupied and privately rented property, by appropriate means and in the fullness of time, up to the government’s decent homes standard.

Enforcement

The authority will normally try to secure the repair and/or improvement of residential property throughout the Borough, whether owner-occupied or privately rented, by informal means. However, where an imminent danger is identified, or where an owner does not respond to an informal approach within a reasonable period of time, enforcement procedures under the relevant statutory provisions will be implemented.

Future Initiatives

The authority will investigate new initiatives as and when they arise and will, as appropriate, introduce them into the Private Sector Housing Renewal Policy. The authority will continue to develop existing partnerships and will seek to introduce new partnerships where appropriate. The authority will continue to explore the use of innovative funding streams to support the Renewal Policy.