1 June 2017
By Bryan T. Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
Independent County Councillor JP O’Shea
North Cork Independent Cllr. John Paul O’ Shea this week welcomed the announcement that almost €5m will be allocated this year by Cork County Council to the people of County Cork who need to 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:
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Housing Adaptation Grant: Assists with the adaptation of the home of a person with a disability to accommodate their needs.
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Mobility Aids Housing Grant: Assists with adaptations to address mobility problems such as hand rails, access ramps, shower access, smoke alarms and stair lifts.
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Housing Aid for Older People: Provides improved conditions for the older person (Over 66 years) by means of structural repairs or improvements, rewiring, drylining, replacement of windows and doors and installation of central heating.
Cllr. O’ Shea welcomed the funding which is similar to last year’s funding and said ”There has been a huge volume of activity under this grant scheme in recent years with an ever increasing demand for 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”.
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. 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 €8,000 is available to assist householders to have necessary repairs or improvements carried out to their homes.
Cllr. O’ Shea added “I want to encourage older people of the area and people with disabilities to apply for these grants. 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”.
The allocation for adaptations to local authority housing in 2017 is awaited.