Loans for home improvements paused for nine months

A project designed to help people make improvements to their homes has now been suspended for more than nine months.

The Flexible Home Improvement Loan (FHIL) scheme has been available in Reading, Berkshire, since 2012, but was paused in July over staffing difficulties.

It allowed people to get loans for upgrades to improve the warmth, comfort, safety, and security of their properties.

Reading Borough Council said the scheme would be resumed, but it did not know when.

People aged 60 and over, buy-to-let landlords and people who wanted to bring an empty home back into use were eligible for the financial help.

Disabled people could also use the scheme alongside a Disabled Facilities Grant if the eligible works were in excess of £30,000.

It was hoped the suspension would only last for six months, but it remains paused nine months later.

A council spokesperson said other alternative schemes were still available, and existing loans were still being honoured.

"We understand that the FHIL board intends to resume the scheme but as yet do not know a timetable for this," they said.

"Reading residents are still able to apply for the Council's Discretionary Housing, Health and Safety Repairs Grant for essential repair works to bring properties up to a liveable standard.

"This provides a maximum of £40,000 towards the cost of grant-eligible works if residents meet the grant conditions."

In a previous council meeting, councillor Sarah Magon said the scheme had been suspended while it was "subject to an options appraisal".

"This would seem to be an extremely valuable resource for residents borough-wide who wish to improve and insulate their homes," she added.

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