Be ‘Houseproud’ with Denbighshire Council’s scheme for home improvements for older people and the disabled

A scheme to help people older and vulnerable people complete house repairs and adaptations has been re-launched by Denbighshire County Council. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The scheme can be accessed primarily by older homeowners who are over 55 years old or disabled persons of any age. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The aim is to help homeowners to continue to live safely and independently in their own home without worrying about ‘cowboy builders’ and concerns over how to pay for work. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Most building maintenance and home improvement works will be considered under the Houseproud Scheme with typical work ranging from replacement gutters through to the construction of new extensions. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

When residents successfully apply, Denbighshire County Council allocate people with their own Houseproud officer who visits the home to discuss what improvements, repairs or adaptations should be made and whether they are eligible for help under this or any other scheme. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Houseproud officer assesses what works are required and how much it is likely to cost. The Council will then organise a reputable, approved builder to start the work. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Home Improvement Trust’s Houseproud Loan is available for those who need affordable finance to pay for their repairs. All of the finance options are specifically tailored to meet the needs of older people and disabled people. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

One of the many clients who have accessed home improvements through Denbighshire County Council’s Houseproud Scheme said, “Through Houseproud I have been able to adapt my home without any of the anxiety usually associated with undertaking home improvements and it has given me back my independence. The Council supervised the work and was always on hand for advice and assistance with letters and form filling. The contractors were very considerate and efficient and the whole experience has been very positive and I would highly recommend it to anyone thinking of having works done on their properties.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

For more information with no obligation, please call 01824 706 717 or email built.environment@denbighshire.gov.uk to receive a free Houseproud information pack. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​