Revised housing adaptation grants of up to €40,000 now available in Mayo
INCREASED funding in housing grants for older people and those with a disability has been announced by Minister of State for Local Government and Planning, Alan Dillon.
The increases are made possible by the commencement of the Revised Housing Adaptation Grants for Older People and Disabled People Scheme.
New figures released show that a total of €2,937,962 has been allocated to Mayo County Council for these grants over the past 12 months.
A total of 138 homeowners have availed of €958,304 under the Housing Adaptation Grant for people with a disability, 141 people have benefited from grant aid totalling €526,278 under the Mobility Aids Grant, while 373 householders have been assisted under the Housing Aid for Older People Grant, with a total of €1,453,380 being paid under the scheme.
The improvements in this revision include an increase in the grant limits of over 30% and an increase of 25% in the income thresholds for eligibility.
Key changes in the regulations include:
An increase in the maximum level of Housing Adaption Grant for Disabled People to €40,000 (an increase of €10,000);
An increase in the maximum level of the Housing Aid for Older People Grant to €10,700 (an increase of €2,700);
An increase in the maximum level of the Mobility Aid Grant of €8,000 (an increase of €2,000).
Said Minister Dillon: “The delivery of approximately 15,000 grants in 2024 is a result of the work done at local level including local tradesmen. As the Minister of State with responsibility for housing for older people and disabled people, I am fully committed to supporting individuals to remain at home and within their own communities through these revised grants. The commencement of the revised scheme and the additional funding announced will support local authorities to continue to facilitate this goal for many of our citizens.
“I am delighted that in Mayo, grants have been awarded to 652 worthy recipients at a cost of nearly €3m, which I hope will assist them and benefit their lives greatly.”
The Housing (Adaptation Grants for Older People and Disabled People) Regulations 2024 provide the legal basis for the introduction of the recommendations set out in the recently completed review. The revised scheme commenced on December 1 and all applications submitted on or after that date will be considered under the revised scheme. New application forms are now available from local authorities.
Since the launch of the scheme in November 2007, significantly increased levels of activity continue to be experienced by local authorities with over 160,000 grants being paid to older people and disabled people. This has facilitated those applicants to remain in their own homes and communities, and in the case of many older people preventing premature entry to residential care.