The Cabinet Member with the Adults Portfolio introduced the report (previously circulated) of the Group Director of People advising Members of the capital resources available for Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG’s) during 2024/25 and requesting that consideration be given to releasing those resources, to be utilised in accordance with this Council’s Disabled Facilities Grant and Regulatory Reform Order Policy 2022/25.
The submitted report stated that DFG’s assisted people to live independently by helping to fund suitable adaptations to their properties; the grants were means tested and were available to owner-occupiers, tenants of private rented properties and Housing Association tenants; the maximum grant payable was £30,000; and that DFG’s were governed by housing legislation and had set conditions for payment, within those regulations.
It was reported that the Council had a shared service agreement in place with Durham County Council to provide a Home Improvement Agency service to provide guidance and practical assistance to people who were older, disabled or on low incomes to claim a DFG to repair, improve or adapt their homes. They also provided support to people until the work was completed and the contractor had been paid.
RESOLVED – (a) That the allocation of £1,159,844, as detailed in the submitted report, to the Council to use for Disabled Facilities Grant adaptations in 2024/25, be noted.
(b) That the capital funding, be released, to enable it to be allocated in accordance with this Council’s Disabled Facilities Grant and Regulatory Reform Order Policy 2022/25.
REASON – To enable the adaptations for those individuals who are eligible to receive a DFG for 2024/25 to proceed.