Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: December 19, 2024

Purpose: Councils across England are required by the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996 to offer Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs) to people who qualify. These grants are mandatory but they are restricted to helping people with disabilities to adapt their homes to make them accessible and more suitable for their needs. The funding for these grants comes from central Government via the Better Care Fund. If a Council wishes to offer financial assistance towards anything other than DFGs they have to adopt and publish a Housing Assistance Policy giving full details of the assistance they will offer to householders in their area for property adaptation, improvement or repair. Thanet District Council adopted such a Policy in 2019 and this policy is now due for review.

Content: Cabinet agreed the following:   1.  The consultation draft of the Housing Assistance Policy is approved; 2.  The Council conducts a public consultation on the draft policy; 3.  The results of the consultation be published on the Council’s website; 4.  Following consultation any minor amendments be approved by the Head of Housing & Planning in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing.