Housing Aid for Older People Grant

What it is:

The Housing Aid for Older People Grant is available to help you if you are living in poor housing conditions and you need to have necessary repairs or improvements carried out so you can continue to live there.

The effective maximum grant under the scheme is €8,000, which may cover up to 95% of the approved cost of works.

Who it’s for:

This grant is aimed at people aged 66 and older, who are living in poor housing conditions. However, in cases of genuine hardship, the local authority may help people under the age of 66.

If you have a disability and your home needs to be adapted to make it more accessible, the Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability or the Mobility Aids Grant Scheme may be more suitable for you. These grants are all administered by local authorities.

How it works:

Assessment of Eligibility
The Housing Aid for Older People Grant is for privately owned homes and is administered by local authorities. You must :

– own the home, or

– have a right to live in the home (right of residence) where the work will be done.

Your total gross household income is checked to find out if you qualify for the grant and what level of assistance you can get.

Household income is the gross annual income earned by:

All adults living in the home aged over 23 years (or over 18 and not in full-time education),
The registered property owner and their spouse. This income is not considered if your home is rented from a landlord, provided by an Approved Housing Body (AHB), or is a communal residence.

How Much is the Grant for?
The grant covers some of the cost of work needed, but not all of it. The amount of money you get depends on your gross household income for the previous tax year.

The grant is assessed based on household income before tax as a percent of the costs available. For example, if your yearly household income is up to €30,000, you can get up to a possible maximum grant of €8,000 (or 95% of the cost).

Types of Work Covered
The grant can be used for various types of adaptation works, including:

Re-roofing: If you are applying to have roof repairs carried out or have the roof replaced, you will need to submit written confirmation from your insurance company that the work are not covered by your existing insurance policy. You submit this along with your application.
Rewiring: If you are applying to have rewiring done, you must enclose with your application written confirmation from a qualified electrician stating the condition of the existing wiring.
Other works:
- providing central heating, water and sanitary services (where none exists),
- repairs to or replacement of windows and doors, (however, grant aid will only be provided in exceptional circumstances),
- dry-lining for walls, and
- any other repair or improvement works which the local authority consider to be reasonably necessary.

Application Process:

To apply for the Housing Aid for Older People Grant, you must complete an application form and provide any requested supporting documentation. This can include your gross household income for the previous tax year, proof that the Local Property Tax (LPT) for your home is in order and that your tax affairs are up to date. You will also need to provide information on the types of repairs you need.

You do not need any medical documents for this grant as it is based on the condition of your home. However, if your application is urgent due to a medical condition, your doctor will need to complete the Doctor’s Certificate section of the application form.

You can contact your local authority’s Housing Grants Section for the application form or download it here. You can also meet with a Housing Officer in the local authority to help you with your application. You must wait until your application is approved before you start making any changes.