Purpose

All Local Authorities are required by the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 to have a Scheme of Assistance (SoA) setting out the circumstances in which it will provide homeowners and private tenants with advice, practical support and financial assistance to help them repair, maintain, improve or adapt their homes. A review of Aberdeenshire Council’s SoA is required because of changes to service deliver in response to budget pressures. The Housing (Scotland) Act 2006 also requires local authorities to have a Below Tolerable Standard and Housing Renewal Area Policy within their Local Housing Strategies. These polices have been reviewed in line with the Policy Review and Development Framework and to take account of the recently published Local Housing Strategy 2024-29. The report seeks comments on the policies which will be presented to Communities Committee for approval in February 2025.