Annual Budget 2009 - Roscommon County Council

Division A | Housing and Building
Improvement Works in Lieu of Local Authority Housing Scheme
Under the Improvement Works In Lieu of Local Authority Housing Scheme approved applicants for re-housing can
renovate or extend their existing accommodation as an alternative to accepting a local authority house provided
their existing house is considered suitable for improvement. The scheme is attractive to certain housing applicants
as it allows these people to live in improved living conditions while remaining in their present environment. This
scheme has operated successfully throughout the county over the past number of years and 56 houses have been
approved under the scheme. There are four projects currently in progress. This scheme was formerly funded by the
exchequer but is now funded from Internal Capital Receipts.
A09 Housing Grant
Disabled Persons and Essential Repairs Grant Schemes as administered by the Council in 2008 were funded by a
contribution of 2 / 3 rds from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and a contribution
of 1 / 3 rd from the Council.
Following a review by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government of the Disabled Persons,
Essential Repairs and Special Housing Aid for the Elderly Schemes, a new framework of grant aid to assist with the
housing needs of older people and people with a disability was introduced to operate from 1st November 2007.
The new framework of grant assistance, as detailed below, is funded by a contribution of 80% from the Department
and 20% from the Council.
In order to finalise commitments under the old grant scheme and fund the new framework of grant assistance it is
intended to spend €2,240,000 in 2009 with the Council’s portion being 1 / 3 rd of the old grants scheme and 20%
of the new grants scheme which amounts to €500,000.
The Housing Adaptation Grant Scheme for Older People and People with a Disability replace the Disabled Persons
and Essential Repairs Grant Schemes.
The new Grant Schemes are as follows:
Housing Adaptation Grant Scheme for People with a Disability, which will assist with the provision/adaptation of
accommodation to meet the needs of people with a disability. The types of works allowable under the scheme include
the provision of access ramps, downstairs toilet facilities, stair-lifts, accessible showers, adaptations to facilitate
wheelchair access, extensions, and any other works which are reasonably necessary for the purposes of rendering a
house more suitable for the accommodation of a person with a disability. The level of grant aid available shall be
determined on the basis of gross household income and shall be between 30% - 95% of the approved cost of the
works subject to a maximum of €30,000. Households with incomes in excess of €65,000 are not eligible to apply.
Mobility Aids Housing Grant Scheme, which will assist in addressing mobility problems primarily associated with
ageing. The works grant aided under the scheme include grab-rails, Access ramps, Level access showers, Stairlifts,
and other minor works deemed necessary to facilitate the mobility needs of a member of a household. The
effective maximum grant is €6,000 or 100% the cost of the works, whichever is the lesser. The grant is available
to households whose gross annual household income does not exceed €30,000.
Housing Aid for Older People Scheme, which will provide targeted support to improve conditions in the existing
housing of older people. The types of works grant aided under the scheme include structural repairs or
improvements, re-wiring, repairs to/replacement of windows and doors, the provision of heating, water and sanitary
services, cleaning, painting and drylining. The level of grant aid available shall be determined on the basis of gross
household income and shall be between 30% - 100% of the approved cost of the works subject to a maximum of
€10,500. Households with incomes in excess of €65,000 are not eligible to apply.
Roscommon County Council | Comhairle Chontae Ros Comain | Adopted Budget 2009 | For year ended 31st December 2009 33