Liverpool City Council is planning to launch a new loans scheme to help homeowners on low incomes improve their property. An 'Equity Loan for Renewal' scheme will help them to pay for repairs or improvements by releasing some of the equity locked in their homes.

The 'Houseproud' scheme aimed at older and disabled people will also offer a variety of loans which carry a "no repossession" guarantee.

An 'Equity Loan for Relocation' scheme is already available to help people in demolition areas bridge the gap between the value of their current house and the cost of moving into a replacement home. 

All the loans are aimed at people who don't qualify for commercial loans available at high street banks. 

It could mean making those repairs that have needed doing for some time, whether it's a new roof, fixing the drains, putting in a stairlift or getting a downstairs loo. And it will also help some members of our community to continue living in their own homes longer instead of having to consider a move into care or alternatively it will help them move to an area where there is more family support.