Cllr. John Paul O’ Shea (Ind) this week welcomed the allocation of €5m to Cork County Council for the 2012 Housing Adaptation Grants Scheme from the Department of Environment, Community & Local Government. Cork County Council will contribute a further €1.25m from its own finances bringing a total of €6.25m available to assist people adapt their homes.
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.
Cllr. O’ Shea said “this allocation is indeed a very welcome one 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. As we now know the 2012 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”.
