Local Councillor John Paul O’ Shea (Ind) this week welcomed news that Cork County Council will receive an additional allocation of €165,994 for the Housing Adaption Grants Scheme during 2013. Cork County Council will contribute a further €33,198 from its own resources bringing a total of €4.7m available to the people of the county to assist people adapt their homes in 2013.
The Housing Adaptation Scheme assists older people, people with mobility problems and people with a disability to make the necessary adaptations to their homes so they can continue to live independently in their own community.
The Housing Adaptation Grants Scheme has three elements which are as follows:
* Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability: Assists with the adaptation of the home of a person with a disability to accommodate their needs.
* Mobility Aids Housing Grant: Assists with adaptations to address mobility problems such as hand rails, access ramps, shower access, smoke alarms and stair lifts.
* Housing Aid for Older People: Provides improved conditions for the older person (Over 60’s) by means of structural repairs or improvements, rewiring, drylining, replacement of windows and doors and installation of central heating.
Commenting on the latest allocation, Cllr. O’ Shea said “this allocation, while it is relatively small, is welcome in such difficult economic times. Assisting older people, people with mobility problems and people with disabilities to continue to live in their own homes and communities has been one of my top priorities as a public representative. It is crucial that the most in need of this important scheme can avail of the appropriate adaptations as soon as possible”.
Funding of up to €30,000 is available for improvement works and extensions to facilitate a person with a disability under the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability. Mobility Aids Grants are available to fast track improvements worth up to €6,000 to address the person’s mobility problems and in the case of older people, a grant of up to €10,500 is available to assist householders to have necessary repairs or improvements carried out to their homes.
Cllr. O’ Shea added ”There has been a huge volume of activity under this grant scheme in recent years with an ever increasing demand for adaptations. I will be urging the Housing Department of Cork County Council to ensure they get the best value for money from this allocation ensuring as many older people, people with mobility problems and people with a disability get their necessary adaptations and can remain living independently in their own homes and communities”.
