surfaces, falls on stairs and entry by intruders. The remaining 25 hazards score on average very low, and conditions would have to be severe to escalate towards a category 1 score. A numerical score is calculated by a function of the probability of an incident occurring within the next 12 months (based on observable or reported data), together with the severity of harm types resulting from the incident, and range from zero to several thousands. The between category 2 hazards and the more severe category 1 hazards is a score of 1000 points or more. Councils have discretion to act on category 2, but MUST act on category 1 hazards, and can do so regardless of tenure – but not in the Council’s own stock. The other 25 hazards are; Damp and mould growth Excess heat Asbestos and manmade fibres (MMF) Biocides Carbon monoxide, Nitrogen Dioxide and Sulphur Dioxide Lead Radiation, including Radon Un-combusted fuel gas (asphyxiation, not explosion of fire) Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) Crowding and Space Lighting Noise Domestic hygiene, pests and refuse Food safety Personal hygiene, sanitation and drainage Water supply Falls with baths Falls between levels Electrical hazards Fire Flames and hot surfaces Collision and entrapment, including low architectural features Explosions Position and operability of amenities Structural collapse and falling elements Housing Assessment Officers may consider the following to be likely category 1 hazards; Excess cold - ineffective or lack of heating systems, occupier(s) unable to maintain comfortable temperatures, lack of radiators or central heating to commonly used rooms, sole means of heating to a room is electric on-peak fires or convector heaters, uncontrollable draughts, exacerbating factors such as broken window(s), windows which cannot be closed, lack of insulation (loft, cavity wall or hot water tank).
Appendix D2 –Assistance Measures – tabulated Assistance Name Mandatory (M) / Discretionary (D) Value (max. £)* Purpose(s) Criteria Repayable / other notes Disabled Facilities Grant – DFG M £30,000 Means tested except for child cases <19 years, otherwise means tested benefit passported qualification) Specified purposes in 1996 Housing Grants Construction & Regeneration Act, section 23 (as amended) Owner occupier, landlord or tenant, for disabled person. Necessary & appropriate, reasonable & practicable. Up to £10,000 for works over £5,000 if disposal within 10 years – owner occupiers only. Repeat applications OK. Discretionary Disabled Facilities Assistance (DDFA) D £10,000 grant £10,000 loan / charge (means tested including child cases) Top-up to DFG, plus and relocation assistance (purchase and move costs) DFG costs in excess of £30,000 plus agreed move value on case by case basis Grant not repayable, loan repayable (0%, charge against property – not time expiring) Hospital Discharge Grant (HDG) D £10,000 (not means tested) Facilitate rapid hospital discharge, prevent or reduce risk of (re)admission Agreed as urgent, cost saving, best option given alternatives Not repayable Home Safety Grant / Handy-Person (HDG) M/D £500 over 3 years Not means tested Minor aids, equipment, repairs and adaptations Over 55 or disabled person in household Not repayable Warm and Safer Home Grant (WaSH) D £10,000 Either qualifying means tested benefit OR vulnerable (agreed medical need) with DFG means test Removal of HHSRS category 1 and key category 2 hazards Owner-occupiers, 3 years minimum ownership Not repayable, no for 3 years Energy Efficiency Support - n/a – tba (ECO etc.) Reduction in fuel poverty, improve domestic energy efficiency n/a n/a Other – revisions, revocations, additions and local schemes as indicated D n/a Tba – including local NOTE: all above for owner-occupiers and private tenants only except where detailed, notwithstanding £500 Home Safety Grant for equipment and minor aids also available to Council tenants.