€222,963 in housing grants for older people and people with disabilities

MAYO is to receive state funding of €222,963 to improve housing stock for older people and people with a disability.

Welcoming the allocation, Deputy Alan Dillon said the funding is designed to improve housing conditions for those who need it most and will help people to live independently in their own homes for longer.

It will also address issues of overcrowding in existing social housing stock, while improvement works on private homes in lieu of social housing also provides an alternative for those currently experiencing overcrowding in private accommodation, he said.

Deputy Dillon explained that the Disabled Persons Grant Scheme and the Improvement Works in Lieu of Local Authority Housing Scheme are administered directly by Mayo County Council. Exchequer funding meets 90% of the cost of the works in each property, with the local authority providing the remaining 10%.

In total, €222,963 is granted under the two schemes for the area covered by Mayo County Council.

“The DPG Scheme provides funding for extensions and adaptations to existing social housing stock for older people and people with a disability and is designed to help make life at home a little easier.

“For example, the funding can be used for items such as grab rails, disabled access ramps, wet rooms, setting up a bedroom downstairs, etc. The scheme also provides extensions in cases of overcrowding in a home,” he said.

“In addition, funding is provided under the Improvement Works in Lieu of social housing scheme (IWILs). This allows local authorities to improve or extend privately owned accommodation, where the applicant has been approved for social housing. It allows those who are otherwise eligible for social housing to remain in private housing and for enhancements to that housing.”

Deputy Dara Calleary also welcomed the funding, saying: “This will greatly improve the housing conditions for our older tenants and those living with disabilities. These grants have a huge 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.

“Mayo County Council has a reputation as one of the most efficient administrators of these schemes in the country and I am pleased that funding of almost €223,000 reflects that high standing.”