Index of information on this page 

• Building Research Establishment (BRE) Stock Condition Modelling
• Disabled Facilities Grants
• Homeowner Financial Assistance
• Leaflets & Advice
• Care and Repair Northumberland 

Building Research Establishment (BRE) Stock Condition Modelling

In 2007 the former districts in the county commissioned the Building Research Establishment (BRE) to produce a series of estimates of local private sector housing conditions using their Housing Stock Models, which was updated in 2009. They combine local and national data to provide these estimates down to Census Output Area (COA) level. 

The information provided shows: 

• Dwellings which fail the Decent Homes Standard (broken down into the four components of the Standard); 
• Non Decent Homes occupied by a vulnerable household;
• Dwellings with a Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) rating of less than 35. The SAP is the Government's recommended methodology for measuring the energy efficiency of residential dwellings;
• Fuel poverty (this is the full fuel poverty measure based on 10% of earnings being spent on heating costs) and
• % of people receiving income based benefits living in homes with a low energy efficiency rating (known as National Indicator 187).

Information at this small area level cannot be provided by local house condition surveys so the modelled outputs give a greater insight into local housing conditions and are an invaluable tool in targeting resources.

The results for Northumberland can be found in the Related Documents Section below. 

Disabled Facilities Grants

If you have a disability or illness which makes daily life more difficult, you may benefit from having your home adapted to help you carry on with your life independently.

Examples of adaptations include:

• Installing a stair-lift so that you can continue to use upstairs rooms
• Constructing a shower area which you can get into without a step
• Making a wheelchair ramp at the main entrance to your home
• Fixing grab rails, hand rails or stair rails to help you to move around safely

You should get advice about possible adaptations from an occupational therapist (OT), who will know all the problems that can arise, and understand how your health condition may develop. You must do this if you want help with the costs. Your Care Manager can arrange for an OT to visit you. For further information please click here.

One of the options that may be available is a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG).

If the person who is disabled receives one of a specified list of means-tested benefits (e.g. income support), the DFG will cover the full cost of approved works, up to a maximum grant of £30,000. Where the application is for a disabled child or young person under the age of nineteen there is no means test. Otherwise, you may not be eligible, or may get grant to cover only part of the cost and so have to make a contribution. In very exceptional circumstances, the County Council may agree to additional help for people who are not eligible for full grant funding and cannot afford the work – but usually people are expected to make their own arrangements, for instance through a loan. In addition, in certain circumstances, the Council may be able to provide additional loan assistance to pay for works which are eligible for Disabled Facilities Grant, but where their cost exceeds the maximum limit of £30,000 and where the applicant is unable to afford their assessed contribution.  

To estimate how much grant you might get, you should ask your OT to request that Care and Repair Northumberland carry out an informal test of resources. You will be contacted by them and asked to supply details of your finances. The officer will then carry out the informal test and advise you of the estimated contribution you may have to make, if any. Once you have estimated figures, you can make an informed decision about whether to proceed.

If you decide to go ahead, the OT can help you to get quotes for the adaptations you need, and you will then have to fill in a full application. This will include the quotes and evidence about who the property belongs to and the basis on which you live there. You must confirm in writing that you intend to stay there for at least five years. If your circumstances later change and you have to move, you may be asked to return any equipment which has a continuing value and should the property be sold within 10 years of the date the adaptations are completed, the Council may demand repayment of such part of the grant paid in excess of £5,000 up to a maximum of £10,000.

Once you have given them a correctly completed application, the Council must make a decision about grant within six months. If you start the work before hearing the Council’s decision about your application, you will not normally be paid any grant.

You can only get grant for the basic cost of the works needed, but you can top this up from your own money if you wish, for instance if you want a special finish or if you prefer to choose a more expensive builder or supplier than the cheapest quote.

The Council will charge a 10% fee on the Grant to cover the cost of a variety of services provided to the applicant, such as: confirmation that the applicant has an owner's interest; assistance in completing forms; advice on financing the costs of the relevant works which may not be met by Grant; supervision of the relevant works and the payment of contractors.

If you require a visit by an Occupational Therapist please contact your Care Manager. If you require further information concerning the DFG process please contact Care and Repair Northumberland on 01670 851844, or by email: lisa.turnbull@threerivershousing.co.uk or susan.poole@threerivershousing.co.uk.

For further information concerning DFGs, please consult the Government document ‘Disabled facilities grant’

http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/disabledfacilitiesgrant

Homeowner Financial Assistance

One of the aims of the Council is to help homeowners to improve the warmth, comfort, safety and security of homes in Northumberland. In order to do this a Financial Assistance Policy has been developed and approved by the Council.

To view Northumberland's Private Housing Renewal Financial Assistance Policy please click here.

The service provided by Care and Repair Northumberland can provide the following:

Advice and Practical Support

It doesn’t matter about your age, income or where you live, we may be able to help you to:

• Identify what is wrong with your home, and what is needed to put it right;

• Understand how to carry out home maintenance, preventative and improvement works or access the local ‘Handy Person’ Service provided by Care & Repair Northumberland if you are eligible for help;

• Work out what the work may cost if a contractor is required, and to investigate the options for funding the work, this may include help to consider charitable or family funding, use of insurance cover, or how an Independent Financial Advisor may be able to help;

• Choose a suitable contractor and to get fair estimates for the work, and to manage the contractor while works are being carried out and

• Decide whether staying put or moving home offers the better solution for your needs.

Financial Help

If you are struggling to afford to keep your home safe and comfortable to live in, an affordable loan may be available too. The loan could be used to:

• Make essential repairs,

• Provide a new kitchen or bathroom,

• Install double glazing,

• Renew the electrical wiring or

• Provide a new and efficient heating system.

The Council can help you to access a loan that can be paid back in affordable instalments over many years, or a loan that is paid back when you choose to sell your home or it is inherited by a member of your family. It may even be interest-free depending on your circumstances.

If you take out a loan, the Council will help you to choose a suitable contractor, and to get fair estimates for the work. The Council will inspect the standard of the work and pay your loan to the contractor directly so that you don’t have to worry.

We will be happy to arrange an appointment to visit you in your home at a convenient time to discuss your requirements.

Leaflets and Advice

The Council is working in partnership with the other authorities in the North East, as part of the 'Helping Hand' initiative. A number of leaflets have been prepared to give you further information about the service that can be provided and the types of loan that may be available:

To view the leaflet which gives an Overview of the assistance available, please click here.

To view the leaflet which gives information on the Financial Assistance available, please click here.

To view the Detailed Financial Assistance leaflet please click here.

For more information please contact Lisa Turnbull, Care and Repair Northumberland on 01670 851844, or by email: lisa.turnbull@threerivershousing.co.uk.

Alternatively further information and an on-line enquiry form can be accessed though the Helping Hand website: http://helpinghandnortheast.org.uk/

Care and Repair Northumberland

Care & Repair is nationally recognised name for home improvement agencies.
Home Improvement Agencies (HIAs) are locally based, “not for profit” organisations that assist vulnerable home owners and private sector tenants who are older, disabled, or on low incomes, to repair, improve, maintain or adapt their homes.