Dover District residents were given the chance to learn how to access grants and interest free loans to improve their property at a Transforming Dover's Homes public exhibition at Dover Town Hall on Wednesday (7 February).
The event, organised by Dover District Council's Private Sector Housing Team, was held to help local homeowners identify suitable funding schemes available to them for home improvement works such as new central heating systems, repairing roofs or windows, installing fire safety measures and training on how to maintain your own property.
The schemes are being funded from the Government's Regional Housing pot in 2006. In total, Dover District was awarded £1.8 million to be spent in 2007 on improving private sector housing for households receiving means tested benefits.
The housing in the poorest condition in the district is in the urban wards of Dover (St Radigunds, Castle, Tower Hamlets and Priory and Maxton and Elms Vale) and the majority of the funding (70%) will be allocated there, with the remaining 30% earmarked for qualifying households elsewhere in the district.
Cllr Mrs Sue Nicholas, Dover District Council's Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community who attended the event, said: "This is an important scheme for the area and we are very pleased that the Regional Housing Board has recognised the need for this significant investment in the district. Private sector housing accounts for 80% of the total housing stock in the district and this is significant news, which complements our work with a range of partners in the community to work to boost quality of life in the district."
For more information about the schemes, please contact DDC's Private Sector Housing Team on (01304) 872454, or email privatesectorhousing@dover.gov.uk or log onto www.dover.gov.uk/privatesectorhousing
