Agenda item

Appendix 2 to this report will follow in a supplementary pack (following Executive publication).

The Private Sector Housing Manager presented the Housing Assistance Policy and explained that the policy set out how the Council provides financial assistance to residents to help them adapt, repair and improve their homes. Members were advised that the policy focused particularly on supporting disabled and vulnerable residents to live independently in their own homes. It was noted that the policy was a statutory requirement and provided the framework for the delivery of mandatory Disabled Facilities Grants (DFGs), together with a range of discretionary assistance schemes, including support for property repairs, energy efficiency improvements and top up funding where adaptation costs exceeded the mandatory grant limit.

Members were informed that the revised policy had been developed jointly with all six Worcestershire local authorities to provide a consistent county-wide approach to housing assistance. It was reported that the policy would support the Worcestershire Home Adaptation Service, improve customer experience and help prepare for the Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) arrangements. Key changes included the introduction of a single Worcestershire-wide Housing Assistance Policy, adoption of nationally recognised performance targets for the delivery of adaptations, removal of certain administrative fees to maximise funding available for adaptations, greater flexibility to approve exceptional cases, and formal recognition of the Armed Forces Covenant through the provision of additional support where appropriate for serving personnel, veterans and their families. The Committee was advised that the policy would continue to be funded through the Better Care Fund and recycled grant repayments and would not place any additional financial burden on the Council.

During consideration of the report, Members queried the implications of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) and whether the proposed county-wide arrangements would remain appropriate once new unitary authority arrangements had been established. Officers advised that the shared approach would assist with consistency across the county and support future transitional arrangements.

Detailed discussion took place regarding Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG) and the extent to which applicants understood the application process, eligibility requirements and financial contributions that might be required. Members expressed concerns that applicants were sometimes unaware that grants could be means tested and that financial contributions might be required, which could cause distress, particularly for disabled and vulnerable residents. It was suggested that clearer communication should be provided at the outset of the process, including information about what adaptations could and could not be funded, how means testing was undertaken and the circumstances in which applicants may be expected to contribute towards costs.

Officers outlined the role of the Worcestershire Home Adaptation Service and explained that all applicants were initially assessed by an Occupational Therapist (OT). Following referral, applicants were allocated a caseworker who would undertake a means test assessment and provide support throughout the application process. Members were informed that the service assisted residents with applications, contractor procurement, planning permissions, building control requirements and access to wider support services. Officers explained that mandatory Disabled Facilities Grants were subject to national legislation and that means testing arrangements were applied consistently across the country. It was also confirmed that residents could undertake an initial online assessment and that applicants were advised of potential financial contributions at an early stage in the process.

Further discussion focused on the transparency of the financial assessment process. Members sought clarification regarding savings thresholds and requested that information regarding the impact of savings and household income on grant entitlement should be communicated more clearly to applicants. Officers advised that any savings above £6,000 would be taken into account as part of the financial assessment process and an applicant (in England) could receive up to £30,000 through the Disabled Facilities Grant. Officers undertook to review whether clearer explanatory information could be publicised on the Council’s website.

Members also raised concerns regarding residents with rapidly progressing or terminal conditions and whether adaptations could be delivered more quickly in such circumstances. Reference was made to correspondence one of the councillors received from the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MND Association). Officers confirmed that urgent cases were already prioritised through Occupational Therapy (OT) assessment processes and advised that urgent adaptations could be delivered within accelerated timescales where clinically justified. Members agreed that this commitment should be reflected explicitly within the policy documentation and to that effect it was suggested that appropriate wording should be included in the Housing Assistance Policy.

The wording suggested for inclusion, to the first paragraph of section 13 of the Housing Assistance Policy, was read out as follows: “The Council will do everything it can to fast track cases where applicants have rapidly progressing or terminal conditions.” The Committee agreed that this wording should be recommended to the Executive Committee for inclusion in the Housing Assessment Policy 2026.

Members queried whether residents experiencing severe mental health difficulties could access assistance through the scheme. Officers advised that housing adaptation decisions were based on assessments undertaken by Occupational Therapists (OT) and that adaptations would be considered where professional assessment demonstrated a need. However, the legislation was primarily focused on providing physical adaptations to improve access and use of the home, such as stairlifts, ramps, widened doorways and accessible bathing facilities.

The Committee considered arrangements for quality assurance and performance monitoring. Officers explained that completed works were inspected by technical officers and that contractor performance was monitored through established procedures. Members were also informed that the Worcestershire Home Adaptation Service was overseen by a governance board comprising officer representatives from participating authorities. The board reviewed a range of performance measures, including caseloads, complaints, timescales, urgent adaptations and financial performance. Officers advised that the service was subject to ongoing review and audit processes to ensure quality and identify opportunities for improvement.

Questions were raised concerning previously reported underspends within Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) budgets. Officers explained that expenditure could fluctuate significantly depending on the complexity and timing of adaptation projects and noted that larger adaptation schemes frequently crossed financial years. It was further highlighted that Redditch benefited from strong provision within its own housing stock, which had historically reduced pressure on the grant budget, meaning there were underspends on the DFG within Redditch.

Members sought clarification regarding grant repayment arrangements in cases where adapted properties were subsequently sold or transferred. Officers confirmed that grants provided to owner occupiers could be subject to a local land charge of up to £10,000. Repayment would only be required where the property was sold or otherwise transferred within a ten-year period, with recovered funds recycled into future grant provision. It was confirmed that inheritance arrangements resulting in a transfer of ownership would trigger consideration of repayment.

The Committee also clarified that housing association tenants remained eligible for Disabled Facilities Grants, subject to landlord consent, whilst Council-owned Housing Revenue Account properties were funded through separate arrangements. Members requested that the policy and supporting documentation should clearly explain eligibility criteria and specify the categories of residents to whom the scheme applied. The Committee agreed this as a further recommendation to the Executive Committee.

Consideration was given to the Equality Impact Assessment accompanying the report. Members noted that potential language and cultural barriers had been identified and sought assurances regarding mitigating actions. Officers advised that work was being undertaken to improve accessibility, including consideration of translated materials and wider engagement with underrepresented communities. It was agreed that further work should be undertaken to improve awareness of the assistance available amongst communities where language barriers might otherwise limit access to services. It was agreed this should also be included as a recommendation to the Executive Committee.

Members requested enhanced monitoring arrangements and proposed that an annual report be submitted to the Committee setting out performance information relating to the Housing Assistance Policy, including applications received, grants approved, expenditure, service performance and other key indicators considered by the Worcestershire Home Adaptation Service officer governance board.

Following discussion the following recommendations and resolutions were agreed by the Committee:

RECOMMENDED that

1)    The following amendments be made to the Housing Assistance Policy 2026:

a.     wording be added to the first paragraph of section 13 – Decisions, Notifications and Redeterminations, to read: “The Council will do everything it can to fast track cases where applicants have rapidly progressing or terminal conditions.”

b.    Information is set out at the beginning of the document on who is eligible to apply under the Policy (both for the Disabled Facilities Grant and any discretionary assistance set out under the Policy).

c.     That the financial eligibility criteria (i.e. income and savings test limits and contribution thresholds for amounts above the limit) are clearly set out in the Policy and communicated through information on the Disabled Facilities Grant available on the Council’s website.

d.    That the Policy is accessible in the languages of communities identified as being under-represented in accessing Disabled Facilities Grant.

2)    That the Housing Assistance Policy be approved and adopted.

3)    Delegated authority be granted to the Assistant Director of Community and Housing Services, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing, to agree any revisions to the Housing Assistance Policy and in line with any legislative or government guidance updates.

RESOLVED that

4)    An annual report is presented to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee covering the governance arrangements and performance monitoring for the shared Home Adaptations Service (as covered under section 16.4 of the Policy) and updating on any changes to the Housing Assistance Policy.

5)    That quarterly data is shared with the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on the spend status of Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) within Redditch, either through a specific report to Overview and Scrutiny or through information within Quarterly Performance Monitoring report.