Cladding Crisis: Cash grants on offer through new website

Cash to fund the replacement of dangerous cladding on blocks of flats is being made available via a new website being launched by the Government.

The ‘Building Remediation Hub’, which will go live on Monday, will allow block owners and other ‘responsible persons’ to submit applications for Government funding for replacement cladding on medium- and high-rise buildings over 11 metres tall. Funding is not available to individual leaseholders.

From April 8 new applications can be submitted to Homes England by those with responsibility for building safety; with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) claiming the new website will make the process more straightforward.

The Government has stressed that when the new online hub goes live the existing Building Safety Fund application form on ‘Citizen Space’ will no longer be active, with any unsubmitted information lost. 
 
Who can apply for Government funding? 
 
Individuals are eligible to apply if they are: 
 
•    a Responsible Entity (the person(s) legally responsible for the building), or 

•    an authorised representative of a Responsible Entity, or 

•    a registered provider of social housing, and

•    eligible to apply for government funding, having taken all reasonable steps to recover the costs of addressing the life safety fire

risks associated with the cladding from those responsible (through insurance claims, warranties, legal action etc).
To qualify, buildings must be: 

•    over 11 metres high, and  

•    have at least one qualifying residential leaseholder (with exception of social sector landlords applying due to financial viability concerns), 

•    have unsafe cladding on an external wall. 
 
How do I find out more and access the Hub?

The Hub can be accessed here: Cladding Safety Scheme (homesengland.org.uk)

For more detail on the scheme and support when filling in the application form visit: 
 
Building Safety Fund guidance for new applications 2022 
 
Cladding Safety Scheme overview 

More information

The NRLA has produced a factsheet addressing leasehold protections for landlords and whether you are eligible for help.
 

Meera Chindooroy Deputy Director of Campaigns, Public Affairs & Policy

Meera is Deputy Director of Campaigns, Public Affairs & Policy at the NRLA. She joined the National Landlords Association (NLA) in May 2018, having previously worked in both policy development and project management for a range of not-for-profit and public sector organisations. Meera provides political insight both internally and for NRLA members, and lobbies in their best interests. Meera has extensive experience of building partnerships with stakeholders across communities, civil society and government, as well as developing collaborative approaches to policy challenges.

Prior to joining to the NLA, Meera provided policy and engagement support to the chief executive of the Big Lottery Fund, the UK’s biggest community funder. She also developed strategic policy at the General Medical Council, the regulator of doctors in the UK.

See all articles by Meera Chindooroy