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Home Improvements - Living Independently Repair Grant

Living Independently Repair Grant is a housing repair grant that is specifically targeted towards the continuing welfare and independence of the most vulnerable people in Blaenau Gwent.

Please download our information leaflet (see link below) for detailed information about his grant, or see a brief summary of the grant below.

Who Can Apply?
1. Owner-Occupiers who:
a) are aged 65 and over; and
b) are the freeholder or leaseholder (with at least five years to run) of the property; and
c) have owned and occupied their property for a minimum of 3 years.
2. You may also be eligible to apply if you are the owner of the property and you are in the process of receiving a Disabled Facilities Grant or Safety at Home (Minor Adaptations) Grant from Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council and the repair works are deemed necessary (along with the adaptations) to enable the continued occupation of the property by the disabled person.
3. You may also be eligible to apply if you are a relative of a disabled person and the property to be repaired is in your ownership. In this context the disabled person must also be in the process of receiving a Disabled Facilities Grant or Safety at Home (Minor Adaptations) Grant from Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council for adaptations at the owner’s property and the repair works are deemed necessary (along with the adaptations) to enable the continued occupation of the property by the disabled person.

What is the Repair Grant Available For?
i. Work required to external envelope of building to ensure the property is wind and weatherproof. such as:
a) Renewal/repair of roof, rainwater goods, facias/soffits etc
b) Renewal of external door(s)/window(s).
c) Renewal/repair to external brickwork/stonework or render
ii. Electrical rewiring due to dangerous condition.
iii. Renewal of steps and/or access paths if hazardous
iv. Renewal/Repair of essential kitchen/bathroom amenities including provision of hot & cold water
v. Repair to central heating systems.
vi. Eradication of Dry Rot.
vii. Any other works to eliminate significant hazards (as identified under the Housing Health & Safety Rating System) and/or that will enable eligible applicants to remain living safely and comfortably in their own home.

Priority. Applications are dealt with in date order of enquiry. However, priority will be afforded in the following circumstances:
a) Where there is an imminent risk to the health and safety of the occupants and/or because of severe water penetration, structural instability or a progressive dry rot infestation an application may be removed from the waiting list and processed immediately; or
b) Where the applicant is a disabled person, or the relative of a disabled person, who is in the process of receiving a Disabled Facilities Grant or Minor Adaptations Grant from Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council for the disabled person and the repairs are necessary to enable the sustainable use of the property by the disabled person;

How do I apply?
The first thing you need to do is complete a grant enquiry form. To do this you can click on the link below or contact us by telephone and we will send you a form and information booklet. Demand for Grant Assistance is high and there is a waiting list.  When your enquiry can be dealt with further the Grants Office will contact you.  At this time a surveyor will visit to assess the condition of the property and to advise you of the work the Council can help you with.