Housing Aid for Older People Grant
The Housing Aid for Older People Grant is used to improve the condition of an older person’s home. In general, it is aimed at people 66 years of age and older, who are living in poor housing conditions. However, in cases of genuine hardship the local authority may assist people under age 66.
Rules
Local authorities have been instructed that only essential repairs should be undertaken to make the property habitable for the applicant.
Local authorities vary as regards what type of work they will grant aid under the Housing Aid for Older People Scheme. You should check with your own local authority to see which types of work its scheme will cover.
The type of work that is grant aided can include some or all of the following:
- Structural repairs or improvements
- Dry-lining
- Repair or replacement of windows and doors
- The provision of water, sanitary services and heating
- Cleaning and painting
- Radon remediation
- Re-wiring
- Any other repair or improvement work considered necessary.
Many older people may be eligible for the Housing Aid for Older People Scheme. However, priority will be given to people on the basis of financial need.
The grant can be paid to people in:
- Owner-occupied housing
- Houses being purchased from a local authority under the Tenant Purchase Scheme.
Priority applicants
Your application will be prioritised based on medical need. Highest priority will be given to people for whom alterations or adaptations would facilitate their discharge from hospital or the continuance of care in their own home.
Information required
When applying for the grant, you must provide:
- Your tax reference number
- Details of your tax district and
- A statement that, to the best of your knowledge, your tax affairs are in order
You must also provide evidence of ownership of the property and evidence that the Local Property Tax on it has been paid.
You must include a written itemised quotation from a contractor, indicating the cost of the work required. If the local authority considers that this quotation is unreasonable, it will ask you to get another one. It is recommended that the proposed works should include the installation of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, if they are not already present and operating in your home.
Starting the work
The grant will not be paid if you start work before you get grant approval. However, it is expected that the work will start within 6 months of your grant approval. If this does not happen, the local authority may allow a time extension.
Getting the work done safely
Under the Regulations governing safety, health and welfare at work, homeowners are obliged to ensure that construction work on their home is carried out by competent people. Read more, including a guide for homeowners (pdf) and some Frequently Asked Questions, on the website of the Health and Safety Authority.
Rates
The maximum grant available under the Housing Aid for Older People Scheme is €8,000, which may cover 95% of the approved cost of works.
This maximum grant of 95% is available to people with annual household incomes of less than €30,000, tapering to 30% for those with annual household incomes of €50,001 to €60,000. The following table shows the current rates.
Note: The maximum amounts may not be fully awarded. Grant amounts are subject to the funding of each local authority so the local authority can decide whether they pay the full grant or a percentage in each case.
Download an application form from your local authority’s website or ask for one to be posted to you. The form contains detailed information on the scheme’s conditions and a checklist of documents that you must include.
Further information is available from Citizens Information website here.
For a no obligation meeting to discuss your requirements or to arrange a quote for works please don’t hesitate to get in contact with us today!
