HUNDREDS of thousands of pounds have been pledged to help York residents improve their homes.
Government ministers have announced the sums of money to be allocated from the Regional Housing Pot to local authorities for improvements to properties in the private sector.
York is to receive £876,000 for 2008-09 - up £26,000 on the last financial year - which will be used for four main grants that are available within the city.
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These include grants to secure homes in high-crime spots, for urgent repair works, for home insulation and to help bring empty properties back into use.
Coun Sue Sunderland, City of York Council's executive member for housing, welcomed the news.
"I am pleased that the money has come through as it does every year," she said. "The fact that we have £26,000 more reflects the rise in prices and the higher cost of living."
However, she said: "If they gave us double the allocation we could still do with more. There are a lot of needy people out there who need grants and adaptations to their home."
Coun Sunderland was confident the grants were well publicised, but said many people only became aware of them as and when they needed help.
The four main grants include the York Repair Grant, which is paid for items of disrepair and urgent works affecting the occupants' health or safety. The maximum grant available is £6,000.
A council spokeswoman said: "The money is allocated for improvements within the private sector, not council housing so council tenants will not directly benefit from this money."
The other grants include the Energy Efficiency Grant, which is available to install loft and wall insulation, and upgrade heating to meet the Decent Homes Standard.
The cash is not capped and each case is considered on its individual merits. It is administered on behalf of the city council by the Energy Partnership, a not-for-profit partnership.
The Landlord Housing Grant helps landlords to bring empty properties back into use as dwellings. It is for up to 75 per cent of the cost of the works that will make the empty property meet the decency standard as determined by the council. The property is leased from the landlord for five years, to be used for affordable social letting once the works are complete. The maximum grant available is £20,000.
The Security Grant is aimed at vulnerable residents and those in high-crime hot spots, particularly to victims of repeat burglaries, and can be used to secure a home against unauthorised entry.
The maximum grant available is £1,000. Applicants need to meet certain criteria, and all applications are inspected to ensure the proposed works are required and appropriate.
Have your say
Is it right that the money is made available to homeowners?
Is it right that the money is made available to homeowners?
Only if it's released to genuine home owners in difficulty.
Why should buy to let landlords benefit? If they can't afford maintenance then they should sell.
Is it right that the money is made available to homeowners?
Only if it's released to genuine home owners in difficulty.
Why should buy to let landlords benefit? If they can't afford maintenance then they should sell.
Posted by: my opinion, york on 10:53am Sun 11 May 08
[quote][bold]ennoch[/bold] wrote:
Is it right that the money is made available to homeowners? Only if it's released to genuine home owners in difficulty. Why should buy to let landlords benefit? If they can't afford maintenance then they should sell.[/quote] its not aimed at buy to letters,that particular grant is to pursuade homeowners who have a empty property thats in disrepair and for reasons unknown dont want to sell it.
It then has to be let out for 5 years to an assosiation so they wont get the rent that they could privetly
ennoch wrote:
Is it right that the money is made available to homeowners? Only if it's released to genuine home owners in difficulty. Why should buy to let landlords benefit? If they can't afford maintenance then they should sell.
its not aimed at buy to letters,that particular grant is to pursuade homeowners who have a empty property thats in disrepair and for reasons unknown dont want to sell it.
It then has to be let out for 5 years to an assosiation so they wont get the rent that they could privetly
Posted by: The Underdog, In Transit on 11:17pm Sun 11 May 08
An absolute disgrace, haven’t home owners made enough free money from us over the years?
I have experience of working on similar grants and I have seen first hand that the money tends to go to people who moan and lie the loudest while often people in genuine need go without – such schemes make me so angry.
There are so many other much more worthy things that need our money.
An absolute disgrace, haven’t home owners made enough free money from us over the years?
I have experience of working on similar grants and I have seen first hand that the money tends to go to people who moan and lie the loudest while often people in genuine need go without – such schemes make me so angry.
There are so many other much more worthy things that need our money.
And the millions of hardworking people who can't afford to buy a house get what exactly? Ah yes, exactly nothing.
Would anyone but an idiot buy a Ferrari if they couldn't afford the maintenance and insurance? The same applies here.
And the millions of hardworking people who can't afford to buy a house get what exactly? Ah yes, exactly nothing.
Would anyone but an idiot buy a Ferrari if they couldn't afford the maintenance and insurance? The same applies here.
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