A local authority which is not a local housing authority may advance money to a person—
for the purpose of altering, enlarging, repairing or improving a house, or
for the purpose of facilitating the repayment of an amount outstanding on a previous loan made for any of those purposes.
The authority may make an advance notwithstanding that it is intended that some part of the premises will be used, or continue to be used, otherwise than as a dwelling if it appears to the authority that the principal effect of making the advance would be to meet the applicant's housing needs; and in such a case the premises shall be treated as a building to be converted into a house.
The authority may make advances whether or not the houses or buildings are in the authority's area.
An advance may be made in addition to assistance given by the authority in respect of the same house under any other Act or any other provision of this Act.