Housing support from your local council

There’s no denying it: renting, and buying a place to live in, has become extremely expensive for most people these days. Private rent, deposit, and mortgage costs combined are often prohibitively high for many potential tenants or homebuyers. That’s why local councils offer support to residents who might otherwise struggle to find affordable housing. These programs usually take the form of housing allowances and grants, which can be accessed by meeting certain criteria (such as income level, age or family status). Depending on your individual circumstances you may qualify for one of the following types of housing support from your local council:

Housing Benefit & Council Tax support

Housing benefit and council tax support are two of the most common types of housing support. Housing benefit is a government benefit designed to help cover the costs of renting, while council tax support is designed to help pay for home ownership costs such as property taxes, council tax and utility bills. Both of these benefits are administered directly by your local council (which for people in Central Bedfordshire is Central Bedfordshire Council)and are usually paid out as vouchers or set amounts based on your income. The amount you receive is based on the average cost of housing in your area, so you’ll need to research your local area rental and housing market to find out how much you might be eligible for.  The criteria for both housing benefit and council tax support are the same: 

• You must be between the ages of 16 and 65 
• You must be a UK resident for at least three months 
• You must have a regular source of income (a job, pension or other regular income) 
• You must have started your claim for support within three months of receiving that income 
• You must be able to show that you have a regular, dependable income to pay the benefit back 

If you meet all of these criteria, you may be eligible to receive housing benefit or council tax support. But note that you’ll need to apply for these benefits.

Discretionary Housing Payments

One way that councils may help individuals who don’t meet the criteria for housing benefit or council tax support is through a discretionary housing payment (DHP). DHPs are given out on a case-by-case basis and are meant to help individuals who don’t qualify for housing benefits but are in need of assistance with their housing costs. If you think you might meet the criteria to apply for a DHP, you can ask your council about your eligibility. However, it is important to keep in mind that DHPs can’t be used to pay rent but only housing-related costs such as utility bills or repairs.

Mortgage-Repayment Grants

In some cases you can apply for a mortgage-repayment grant. This type of housing support is available to first-time homebuyers only and is meant to help with the cost of repaying your mortgage. However, you must meet certain criteria to qualify for a mortgage-repayment grant. These include your income, the location of your home, and the amount you’re borrowing.  To qualify:

• Your household income must be less than £80,000 a year. 
• The location of your home must also be in an area of high-cost housing. 
• You must be borrowing a mortgage that’s less than 90% of the value of your house.

Help to Buy and Equity Loans

Another type of housing support available to first-time homebuyers is the Help to Buy scheme. This is a government grant designed to help you contribute to your house purchase.  To qualify for this housing support, you must be buying a home that costs less than £600,000 and currently meet the following criteria: 

• You’re a first-time homebuyer if you’ve never owned a home before you’re buying a place with a mortgage 
• You meet the income requirements for the amount you’re borrowing 

  You’ll need to apply for this and show that you meet the above criteria. You might also qualify for other types of housing support if you’re buying a home and do not currently meet the above criteria, such as an equity loan. An equity loan is essentially a loan that allows you to borrow money against the value of your home. It’s meant to help you cover the down payment on your home purchase.

Home Improvement Grants

If you’re looking to improve your home, you may qualify for a home improvement grant. These are designed to help homeowners make repairs to their home, purchase essential equipment such as wheelchairs or grab bars, and make other home improvements. To qualify, your home must be your principal place of residence. Your home improvement must also be necessary, safe and in line with building regulations. You must also be able to show that the improvements you’re making are necessary and that you can’t afford them through other means, such as insurance or a loan.

Access to Housing Advice

Finally, you can also get free housing advice from your local council and Citizens Advice. These resources can help walk you through the entire housing support application process, help you understand your rights as a tenant or homeowner, and help you navigate any other issues you might be having with your housing situation. You can find help with housing-related advice and information through your local council. Your local council will also be able to tell you which other housing support programs are available, as well as their eligibility criteria.