Election candidate calls for housing grants to be reformed

Castlebar local election candidate Donna Hyland has stated the Housing Adaptation Grants Scheme administered by Mayo County Council need to be reformed. There are three housing grants available under the scheme through the local authority namely: Housing Aid for Older People Grant; Housing Adaptation Grants for People with a Disability and the Mobility Aid Grants.

Ms Hyland, a nurse and Sinn Féin local election candidate said: “These grants are essential for older people and for people with a disability to remain independent and remain living in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. I was disappointed to learn that the Housing Adaptation Grants Scheme total remaining fund is €332,607. This funding is to be administered for the entire county of Mayo, under the three pillars of the scheme and it is only August. In my opinion, the remaining funding will be inadequate to meet the needs of 2023 applicants,” she explained before adding that she sees the need for adequate funding on a daily basis.

Donna Hyland explained: ‘’ Through my work as a nurse I know that a person can have a sudden accident or health event which can totally change their needs for the rest of their lives. People do not need the added stress of waiting for housing adaptations in addition to their rehabilitation’’.

Mayo County Council officials have reported an increase in demand for assistance under these grant types and Ms Hyland said this is to be welcomed.

‘’The Department of Health is requesting the HSE focus more on providing healthcare which enhances people’s ability to live in their communities for longer, we have an ageing population and there has been a few changes to the Housing Adaptation Grants Scheme that may have made the scheme more accessible.

“I am supporting the initiative by Mayo County Council’s management team to write to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to seek an increase to the 2023 Housing Adaptation Scheme allocation. This is the only option to ensure the needs of applicants are met and I am hoping that Mayo County Council will be successful in securing the increase to this essential funding.’’

‘’More needs to be done to make sure that the Housing Adaption Grants Scheme remains sustainable into the future. The Government needs to increase the Housing Adaptation total allocation to Mayo County Council to meet the increase in construction costs otherwise older people and people with a disability will have to pay more in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis.’’

She concluded by saying; “ I am looking forward to working with Mayo County Council to find a suitable resolution to these issues at upcoming Housing SPC meetings.’’