Notification that Cork County Council is to receive additional funding from the Department of Environment, Heritage & Local Government for the Housing Adaptation Scheme has today been warmly welcome by Cllr. John Paul O’ Shea.
This now enables Cork County Council to approve all priority 1 applications and priority 2 applications received prior to 1st April 2009.
The Housing Adaptation Grants Scheme assists older people and people with a disability to make the necessary adaptations to their homes so they can continue to live in their 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, windows and doors and central heating.
The Independent councillor since elected last June has been to the fore in ensuring Cork County Council receives adequate funding for this vital scheme. Below is a motion that Cllr. O’ Shea put forward to the Northern Division of the council on the 21st September 2009:
“That Cork County Council outlines the current status of the Housing Adaptation Grants Scheme 2009; what funding has been allocated to priority cases to date? How many people have been approved to date? Has the division expressed concern to the authorities that there is a severe shortfall in funding to meet the increasing demand for the scheme?”
Cllr. O’ Shea said “the additional funding is very welcome in theses difficult financial times and will enable Cork County Council to approve the necessary applications and allow people to commence their adaptations. Assisting older people and people with a disability 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”.