Cllr. John Paul O’ Shea (Ind) this week warmly welcomed the allocation of €8,116,492 to Cork County Council for the 2010 Housing Adaptation Grants Scheme.
The 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, windows and doors and central heating.
Cllr. O’ Shea said “this allocation which represents and increase of over €1.8m compare to 2009 is indeed very welcome in such difficult financial 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 grants of up to €6,000 to address the 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 was a huge volume of activity under this grant scheme last year with an ever increasing demand for adaptations. As we now know the 2010 allocation, I will be urging 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”.
