Cork gets a €5.8million package under scheme to fund housing adaptations
PEOPLE across the north Cork region have been urged to avail of a Cork County Council initiative to adapt the homes of the elderly and those with a disability or mobility problems.
Under the Housing Adaptation Grants Scheme, successful applicants will receive a grant to make necessary changes to their houses that will allow them to remain living independently within their own communities.
Funding of €5.8 million has been set aside this year by the government and the local authority for the scheme, which has three key elements.
The housing adaptation grant helps cover the cost of structural works to the homes of people living with a disability. These include the building of extensions and the installation of ground-floor bedrooms. The mobility aids housing grant helps with the cost of installing essential items such as access ramps, hand rails, showers, smoke alarms and stair lifts.
The housing aid for older people category (for applicants over 66) makes provision for essential repairs such as rewiring, dry lining and the replacement of doors and windows, particularly in older houses.
Funding of up to €30,000 per applicant is available under the housing adaptation grant; €6,000 under the under the mobility aids grant; and €8,000 under the housing aid for older people initiative.
Cllr John Paul O’Shea (FG) has welcomed the roll-out of the 2019 scheme, pointing out that the total funding allocated to Cork County Council this year had been increased by more than €210,000 on the 2018 allocation.
“Over recent years, there has been a huge volume of activity under the auspices of this scheme, with an ever-increasing demand for money to undertake what are often essential adaptations. Cork County Council will ensure as many older people, people with mobility problems and people with a disability as possible get the necessary adaptations so they can remain living independently in their own homes and communities,” he said.
Cllr O’Shea said changes in the eligibility criteria under the scheme in recent years should not put people off from applying for grants.
“I am pleased that funding has been increasing year on year since 2014, and this shows the importance that is attached to the scheme,” he said.
“These grants have an immense impact on the quality of life of the many beneficiaries and play a vitally important role in helping people with a disability and people who are reaching an age in life when they are less mobile, to continue to live independently in their own homes.”
For more information about the scheme, visit www.corkcoco.ie and follow the links to the housing section, or the section directly at County hall on (021) 427 6891.