€790K allocated for social housing stock in Louth

€789,908 in funding for social housing stock in Louth will help address the needs of older people, people with a disability and overcrowding, Louth Fine Gael TD Paula Butterly has said.

Deputy Butterly said €23m in funding is being provided for local authorities across Ireland to carry out adaptations, extensions and other improvements to their existing social housing stock.

“I am delighted to see that €789,908 has been allocated for Louth”, Deputy Butterly commented. “This funding will help improve housing conditions for older tenants and those with disabilities. It will also help tackle overcrowding in social housing and offer an alternative for those currently living in overcrowded private accommodation.”

The Disabled Persons Grant ensures homes are adapted to allow older people and those with disabilities to continue living independently, while also addressing overcrowding. This scheme funds essential home modifications for people with mobility or disability needs.

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These include minor adaptations like stair-lifts, ramps, and grab rails, larger projects such as extensions to reduce overcrowding as well as creating accessible spaces like a downstairs bedroom, en-suite, or wet-room.

The funding also extends to Improvement Works in Lieu scheme which allows works to be carried out on a privately owned house where the applicant has been approved for social housing.

Deputy Butterly went on to say that: “These grants are so important for meeting the needs of local authority tenants and those awaiting social housing in Louth and play a key role in enabling people with disabilities to continue living autonomously.

“Fine Gael is committed to enabling older and disabled people to continue to live independently”, concluded Deputy Butterly. The Disabled Persons Grant and Improvement Works in Lieu schemes are administered directly by local authorities.

Under both schemes, exchequer funding meets 90% of the cost of the works in each property, with the local authority providing the remaining 10%.