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Sunday, 05-Sep-2010
Property Search>Help for you to stay in your current home in Norwich

Help for you to stay in your current home in Norwich

If your current home is in Norwich the following options are available to you:

#          ‘Interest-Free Decent Homes Loan

What is it?

This is an interest free loan to enable homeowners to bring their property to the ‘Decent Homes Standard

Who can apply?

Homeowners who are in receipt of one or more of the following benefits:

  • Income Support
  • Housing Benefit
  • Income based Job Seekers Allowance
  • Child Tax Credit (with a disability element and a household income of less that £14,600)
  • Attendance Allowance
  • Disability Living Allowance
  • Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
  • War Disablement Pension
  • Pension Credit

What work can be done?

  • Repairs
  • Improvements to heating and insulation
  • Improvements to bathroom and kitchen facilities

How much are the loans for?

The loans are for up to £15,000. This is an ‘interest-free loan that is repaid when the house is eventually sold or transferred to another owner. This means that you dont have to make regular repayments and the money may not have to be paid back for many years.

How do I apply?

You should contact:

Norwich Care and Repair

c/o Orbit Housing Association

14 St Matthews Road

Norwich

NR1 1SP

Telephone: 01603 283337

 

#          Disabled Facilities Grants

What is it?

This is a grant towards adapting your current home or providing special facilities for people with a disability.

Who can apply?

Homeowners, Private tenants and Council tenants. If you have a genuine need then it is likely you will be entitled for a grant.

What work can be done?

This is decided by your specific needs. Work that could be done include:

  • Installing a level access shower
  • Installing stairs lifts or handrails
  • New ground floor extensions to your property

How do I apply?

If you are Homeowner you should apply direct to Norwich Care and Repair (Contact details at the back of the booklet)

If you are a private tenant you will need to ask the permission of the Landlord. Once you have their permission you should contact Norwich Care and Repair (Contact details at the back of the booklet)

Please be aware that if you are a Housing Association tenant then you should contact your local office, as most Housing Associations will carry out disabled adaptations without the need for a grant.

How much are the grants for?

Any amount up to £25,000. However, the grant is mean-tested so you may be asked to pay a contribution towards the cost of the works.

How do I apply?

You should contact:

Norwich Care and Repair

c/o Orbit Housing Association

14 St Matthews Road

Norwich

NR1 1SP

Telephone: 01603 283337

#          Minor Works Grant

What is it?

This is a grant towards small scale repairs and improvements

Who can apply?

Homeowners or private tenants who are in receipt of one or more of the following benefits:

  • Income Support
  • Housing Benefit
  • Income based Job Seekers Allowance
  • Child Tax Credit (with a disability element and a household income of less that £14,600)
  • Attendance Allowance
  • Disability Living Allowance
  • Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
  • War Disablement Pension
  • Pension Credit

What work can be done?

  • Small ‘emergency repairs
  • Urgent repairs to heating, electrics, plumbing and drainage
  • Minor adaptations and improvements to enable someone to return home from hospital
  • Home security improvements

How much are the grants for?

Up to £1000 in any 12 month period. The grant does not have to be repaid

How do I apply?

If the work you require is home security improvements then should contact:

Norfolk Partnership Against Crime Taskforce (Norfolk PACT)

Telephone 01953 424722

For all other kinds of work please contact:

Norwich Care and Repair

c/o Orbit Housing Association

14 St Matthews Road

Norwich

NR1 1SP

Telephone: 01603 283337

#          General information about the options in Norwich:

Organising the work:

For all the grants and loans Norwich Care and Repair offer a service to find builders and supervise the work for you. You can also arrange for the work to be carried out yourself or employ an agent to arrange it for you (the costs of this can be included in the grant or loan).

Please be aware that you must not start the work before a grant or loan has been approved.

 

How is it decided who gets the grants and loans?

In most cases, where an Occupational Therapist agrees that you qualify, you will be entitled to a Disabled Facilities Grant.

Norwich City Council does not have to give you a Decent Homes Loan or Minor Works Grant but if you are eligible and the works fall within the policy you will normally receive an offer. Sometimes, due to high demand, its necessary to hold people on a waiting list.

If you are turned down for help by Norwich Care and Repair they will always give you the reason for doing so. However, you may ask for your case to be reconsidered by the Private Sector Housing Manager at the Council.

 

 

 

 

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