Housing Assistance Policy

The Government's Regulatory Reform Order 2002 on housing renewal almost completely repeals the existing range of grants and associated rules, procedures and conditions. The one exception to this is mandatory Disabled Facilities Grants which remain essentially unchanged.

In place of this prescriptive grant system, the Council now has a general power to provide grants, loans, advice, and materials or to directly carry out work for the purpose of repairing, improving, extending, converting or adapting housing accommodation. The Council has the discretion to decide on rates of grant, grant conditions and all other such issues.

This is a very broad, sweeping power and represents a fundamental change in the nature of housing renewal legislation. It is, of course, subject to the available funding which remains unchanged. In order to make use of the new powers, the Council first has to adopt this policy which comes into effect on 18 July 2003.

Read the full policy (118KB)

Contact the Council for advice:

Initially, verbal or written enquiries can be made to:

Pollution and Housing Team,
Environmental Health Section.
Shepway District Council
Civic Centre
Castle Hill Avenue
Folkestone, CT20 2QY

01303 853549

A verbal enquiry by telephone is the simplest method.

An appropriate member of staff will discuss your enquiry with you at that time although sometimes it may be necessary to get back in touch with you, usually by telephone. Written enquiries should include specific details of the assistance requested and the owner's circumstances, preferably with a contact telephone number. Whenever possible, you will be advised quickly about whether your case can be treated as an exception to general policy. However, further investigation may be necessary and this will be explained to you at the time of your enquiry.

Although the Council administers Disabled Facilities Grants, enquiries in the first instance should be directed to:

Occupational Therapy Bureau,
Queens House
Guildhall Street
Folkestone
Kent CT20

01303 224370