More buildings to get money for dangerous cover removal

The government has announced that many buildings will soon be eligible for government funding to remove hazardous coatings.

Funding was previously only available on blocks of 59ft (18m) or taller, leaving leaseholders in low-rise buildings to foot the bill to fix safety issues.

Under the plans, buildings under 36ft (11m) can apply for the funding, with the government planning to prioritize properties “based on the risk they pose to residents”.

The change is part of a reform acceleration plan released in December 2024 to address weaknesses set out in the Grenfell inquiry.

In the year In 2017, the Grenfell Tower fire killed 72 people Cladding was found to be the “main” factor For the rapid spread of the fire.

Building Safety Minister Samantha Dixon said: “Residents should not have to worry about living in homes with dangerous and combustible roofs just because their building is not eligible for funding.”

Applications will open from August but no figure has been given for the amount of money to be made.

The plan promises to have a date by 2029 for all buildings 36 feet or taller with unsafe roofs to be repaired or completed, or the owner will be liable for heavy fines.

The latest renovation figures, published in June, show that by the end of May 2026, 2,331 buildings had started or completed renovation work.

A total of 4,411 residential buildings 36ft and above were identified as having unsafe roofs.

Kate Henderson, chief executive of the National Housing Federation, welcomed the government’s decision, calling it an “important step to accelerate action”.

“This is an approach that the sector has long called for, as height alone is not a reliable measure of risk, and it ensures that capacity is kept where it needs to be,” added Henderson.

The changes are part of wider efforts to ensure building safety issues are fixed “quickly and fairly, without incurring unreasonable costs to leaseholders”, the government said.