The housing aid and adaptation grants issued by Local Authorities to older people and those with disabilities should be increased to reflect the rising cost of construction, a local councillor has stated
County Councillor Andrew Reddington has called for increases to be applied to the housing aid for older people grant, the mobility aid grant and the housing adaptation grant for people with a disability.
Cllr Reddington said that he knows from his own office that the people who avail of these grants find them massively beneficial to make their home a more suitable and comfortable place for them to live.
But he said that with the cost of carrying out works rising as well as the general cost of living, he believes we should be increasing the level of grant.
“There are three main grants which I think should be looked at with a view to increasing the level of funding provided,” he said, referring to the housing aid for older people, the mobility aids grant, and the housing adaptation grant for people with a disability.
The Housing Aid for Older People Grant provides up to 95% of a grant in owner-occupied homes, for persons aged 66 or over, to cover the costs of up to €8,000 in necessary improvements like rewiring, central heating or replacing boilers beyond repair.
The Mobility Aids grant provides up to 100% of the costs of up to €6,000 in works to address mobility problems with the installation of rails, ramps, stair lifts and level access shower.
The Housing Adaptation grant for people with a disability provides up to 95% of the costs of up to €30,000 in works to adapt a home to suit the needs of a person with a disability such as a downstairs toilet shower, wheelchair adaptation or extension.
“Across the board we are seeing a marked rise in not only the cost of materials but the cost of labour for carrying out these works as well, so I think we should certainly be increasing the grants without delay,” Cllr Reddington added.
“Housing adaptions and aids can be the difference between someone having to move to full-time care or being able to stay in their own home and maintain their independence.
“The rising cost of living shouldn’t be a barrier to someone being able to live comfortably in their own home.”
