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Housing Adaptation Grants for older people and people with a disability (Private Houses)
From Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
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Funding is provided for local authorities expenditure incurred on the suite of adaptation grants for older people and people with a disability.
The suite of grants available to private home owners are 80% funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, with a 20% contribution from the resources of each local authority. Three distinct grant types are available.
- the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability assists people with a disability to have necessary adaptations, repairs or improvement works carried out in order to make their accommodation more suitable for their needs.
- the Mobility Aids Grant is available to fast track grants to cover a basic suite of works to address the mobility problems of a member of a household. Qualifying works include the provision of stair lifts, level access showers, access ramps, grab rails and some minor adaptation works.
- the Housing Aid for Older People Grant assists older people living in poor housing conditions to have necessary repairs or improvements carried out. Grant eligible works include structural repairs or improvements, re-wiring, repairs to or replacement of windows and doors, provision of water supply and sanitary facilities, and provision of heating.
Homeowners who avail of the Housing Adaptation Grant, can proceed with construction during level 5 restrictions under S.I. No.4 of 2021 Health Act 1947.
The Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability scheme provides grant aid to applicants to assist in the carrying out of works that are reasonably necessary for the purposes of rendering a house more suitable for the accommodation needs of a person with a disability. The scheme is administered by local authorities.
The effective maximum grant under the scheme is €30,000, which may cover up to 95% of the approved cost of works.
A person with a disability who requires adaptation works to render a house more suitable for their accommodation needs or a homeowner on behalf of a person with a disability who is a member of the household.
Applicants will be assessed on the basis of all household income, that is, the annual gross income of all household members aged 18 years or over (or aged 23 years or over if in full time education) in the previous tax year.
The registered property owner’s income (and spouse) may also be included. More detail in relation to this is provided on the single application form available below.
The effective maximum grant of €30,000 to cover up to 95% of the cost of works, may be available to applicants with gross household incomes of up to €30,000 per annum, tapering to 30% for applicants with gross household incomes of between €50,001 to €60,000 per annum. The same means test will apply in every local authority area and is in line with the criteria for assessment of need for social housing.
The types of works allowable under the scheme can be varied and may include:
- a ramp or other ways to access your home
- grab rails
- bathroom facilities like an accessible shower or a downstairs toilet
- a stair lift
- space for wheelchair access
- an extension (typically for a bedroom or bathroom to accommodate a person with a disability)
You can download the form below or you can get a copy of the form from the Housing Grants Section of your Local Authority or their website.
Fully completed application forms should be returned to your Local Authority Office.
Application form: Housing Adaptation Grants for older people and people with a disability
DownloadThe Mobility Aids Grant scheme provides grant aid to cover a basic suite of works to address mobility problems, primarily, but not exclusively, associated with ageing. The scheme is administered by local authorities.
The effective maximum grant under the Mobility Aids Housing Grant Scheme is €6,000, which may cover 100% of the cost of works.
A person who requires basic adaptation works in order to address their mobility needs.
Applicants will be assessed on the basis of all household income, that is, the annual gross income of all household members aged 18 years or over (or aged 23 years or over if in full time education) in the previous tax year.
The registered property owner’s income (and spouse) may also be included. More detail in relation to this is provided on the single application form available below.
The maximum grant of €6,000 may be available to applicants with gross household incomes of up to €30,000 per annum. The same means test will apply in every local authority area and is in line with the criteria for assessment of need for social housing.
You can use this grant to improve access in your home, like adding:
- grab rails
- a ramp
- an accessible shower
- a stair lift
You can download the form below or you can get a copy of the form from the Housing Grants Section of your Local Authority or their website.
Fully completed application forms should be returned to your Local Authority Office.
Application form: Housing Adaptation Grants for older people and people with a disability
DownloadThe Housing Aid for Older People Scheme is available to assist older people living in poor housing conditions to have necessary repairs or improvements carried out. The scheme is administered by local authorities.
The effective maximum grant under the scheme is €8,000, which may cover up to 95% of the approved cost of works.
This grant is for people 66 years old or more to do essential repairs, so that they can continue to live in their own home. Sometimes this grant can be paid to people under 66 years old, but only in cases of hardship.
Applicants will be assessed on the basis of all household income, that is, the annual gross income of all household members aged 18 years or over (or aged 23 years or over if in full time education) in the previous tax year.
The registered property owner’s income (and spouse) may also be included. More detail in relation to this is provided on the single application form available below.
The effective maximum grant of €30,000 to cover up to 95% of the cost of works, may be available to applicants with gross household incomes of up to €30,000 per annum, tapering to 30% for applicants with gross household incomes of between €50,001 to €60,000 per annum. The same means test will apply in every local authority area and is in line with the criteria for assessment of need for social housing.
You can use this grant to do essential repairs. This could be to:
- help repair or replace the roof
- upgrade the electrical wiring
- repair or replace doors and windows
- provide central heating (where there is no central heating or it is broken beyond economic repair)
You can download the form below or you can get a copy of the form from the Housing Grants Section of your Local Authority or their website.
Fully completed application forms should be returned to your Local Authority Office.
Application form: Housing Adaptation Grants for older people and people with a disability
Download