Appendix G2
(CM - 09.04.13)
Background to Wessex Home Improvement Loans
The 2002 Regulatory Reform (Housing) Order
(RRO) encouraged local authorities to provide
innovative ways of addressing the growing
problem of deteriorating standards in the privately
owned housing stock, especially amongst
‘vulnerable’ groups. More emphasis was to be
placed on facilitating loans and reducing
dependency upon grant funding.
Wessex Reinvestment Trust was created in 2003
as the first rural Community Development
Financial Institution (CDFI). It is a ‘not for profit’
Social Enterprise seeking to improve financial
accessibility for people.
In 2004, it became clear that there was an
overlap between the needs of local authorities to
fulfil their obligations under the RRO, and the
ethos of the Wessex Group to deliver social
benefit for vulnerable people. Consequently,
WHIL was instructed to devise a loan scheme
which would provide a facility for local councils to
offer loans to suitable clients across the area.
These councils secured capital funding from
Government Office South West (GOSW) totalling
£2,625,000.
Subsequently, much work has been undertaken
by WHIL in developing and implementing an
innovative scheme which efficiently and
effectively lends these funds to people who might
otherwise be unable to address their house
maintenance needs. In so doing, it has become
one of the leading providers amongst Social
Enterprises operating in this area of work.
Wessex Home Improvement Loans are also:

A Member of the Community Development
Finance Association

A Member of AdviceUK

Audited Independently by our Partnerships

ISO9001 Accredited
Wessex Home Improvement Loans has a proven
track record in delivering loans to financially
vulnerable groups, to date WHIL have:

Maintained 100% client satisfaction

Been commended by the South West Audit
Partnership for their process and procedures

Successfully established partnerships with 19
Local Authorities

Lent over £6m

£1.5m (to March 2012) of repaid capital which
has been recycled and is available to relend

Over 1,060 loans issued

No bad debt

Default of less than 1% of the loan book
WHIL work to provide a social benefit within the
communities they serve and aim to;
“Promote Financial Inclusion and Improve
the Quality of People’s Lives”
Wessex Home Improvement Loans operate under
a Consumer Credit Act Licence. We are not FSA
regulated as we do not use a legal charge for
security, our loans are secured by way of a title
restriction at the Land Registry with an Equitable
Mortgage which is not a regulated activity. We do
review regularly the FSA requirements and are
currently undertaking another review of the
benefits of choosing FSA regulation (July 2012).
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Appendix G2
(CM - 09.04.13)
What do Wessex Home Improvement Loans Offer?
Wessex Home Improvement Loans is a “not for private profit” social enterprise; a C.D.F.I. which delivers loan
schemes for local authorities in the South West of England. Grant finance which had previously been simply
absorbed into the community, is now invested with WHIL who act as delivery agents for the group. WHIL redirect the
fund to vulnerable clients and the finance is made available through loans, and returns, to be recycled, offering long
term sustainable finance. With the social objectives common to all C.D.F.I. s, WHIL only accepts referrals from the
Councils it serves assisting vulnerable home owners to make essential repairs and renewal works to their property.
We strive to work closely with our partners to meet the diverse needs of their communities, and by understanding
those needs, always insist that our service delivers value and professionalism. As a close knit team we share
both best practice and the satisfaction that comes from each successful outcome. Our strength comes from our
experience, providing confidence in our products which have helped so many vulnerable people and our
aspiration is to serve more partner organisations within the WHIL region. WHIL has a growing reputation for
‘delivering excellence’ and during its relatively short history has already met the finance needs of many lower income
homeowners who could not afford to borrow commercially. WHIL has:
A Proven Track Record

We have been offering an efficient and effective loan delivery service since 2005.

WHIL have delivered over 1060 loans to the value of over £6m

Over £1.5m (March 2012) of repaid loan capital which has been recycled and is available to lend again

Secured over £11m of Local Authority capital for lending

Demand has increased each year and local authority policy has changed to a “Loans First” approach.

No bad debt to date.

Exceptionally low rate of arrears by any measure—currently less than 1% of the loan book (March 2012).
A Customer Focussed Approach

WHIL take pride in the quality of the products and the service provided.

The overwhelming response to client satisfaction surveys rate our service as excellent. With 100% Client
satisfaction maintained since the start of the scheme (577 replies, 12% rating overall service as “Good”,
88% rating overall service as “Excellent”)

Every client gets a minimum of 2 home visits from one of our specialist advisers who talk them through the
scheme and supports them through the entire process.

Decisions are made on a case by case basis and people are assessed as individuals - we know that
everyone’s circumstances are different!
A Partnership Approach

We value our partnerships and have a proactive approach to the provision of support.

Flexible policy – we treat each partner individually to ensure we deliver their policy objectives.

Recyclable fund – every capital repayment gets added back into the ring fenced pot for re-lending to
help someone else!

Cost effective and efficient loan service.

Commended by the South West Audit Partnership in July 2011 for systems, processes and procedures.

We have an “open book” policy whereby all of our financial and client information is available for
inspection by our partners when required.

We keep partners closely informed of client progress with regular updates

Consortium and User Group meetings are held to update partners on the progress of the scheme, the
current financial position and scheme development.

Monthly activity figures are distributed to show current activity and updated capital position.
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Appendix G2
(CM - 09.04.13)
Local Authority Contact Details
Bath & North East
Somerset Council
Tel: 01225 396216
Bristol City Council
Tel: 0117 9038980
East Devon District
Council
Tel: 01395 517457
Mendip District
Council
Tel: 01749 341490
Mid Devon District
Council
Tel: 01884 255255
North Devon Council
Tel: 01271 388870
North Somerset Council
Tel: 01934 426885
South Gloucestershire
Council
Tel: 01454 868126
South Hams District
Council
Tel: 01803 861234
South Somerset
District Council
Tel: 01935 462462
Teignbridge District
Council
Tel: 01626 215445
Torridge District
Council
Tel: 01237 428848
West Devon Borough
Council
Tel: 01822 813600
Sedgemoor District
Council
Tel: 01278 435747
Taunton Deane
Borough Council
Tel: 01278 435747
West Dorset District
Council
Tel: 01305 251010
West Somerset
District Council
Tel: 01278 435747
Exeter City Council
Tel: 01392 265651
Wiltshire Council
Tel: 01722 434227
& 01249 706546
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