merrion street

Mr. Simon Coveney T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, has directed all local authorities to invite Approved Housing Bodies to develop and submit cost effective and sustainable proposals to provide independent living accommodation for people with special housing needs under the Capital Assistance Scheme.

Local Authorities will issue a ‘Call for Proposals’ to invite construction and/or acquisition proposals from Approved Housing Bodies to meet this important need. Minister Coveney said “the Capital Assistance Scheme is my Department’s main capital funding scheme for the provision of independent living accommodation for the more vulnerable in our society. There is a strong level of project already approved following announcements made last year. I am delighted that with the projects already in train and those that will now be newly proposed, the Government is enabling additional social housing accommodation to be delivered across the country to meet these important needs”.

This new ‘Call for Proposals’ under the Capital Assistance Scheme is in the context of the Social Housing Strategy 2020, as well as the commitments in the new Programme for a Partnership Government to expedite the delivery of social housing. €86 million has been set aside in the Department’s vote to facilitate the delivery of units this year under the Scheme, which is a significant increase on last year.

The Minister said “this announcement today will assist in delivering on our ambitious targets for social housing. That focus must encompass our citizens who have particular needs and for whom a sheltered housing solution is appropriate. The focus on delivery must also encompass the Approved Housing Body sector which delivers strongly in relation to special needs, but is also key to the broader delivery of the housing services that our country needs.”

ENDS

Notes for Editors:

The Capital Assistance Scheme provides funding of up to 100% for the provision of accommodation to meet the needs of persons requiring specific categories of housing, including the elderly, persons with an intellectual or physical disability and homeless persons.

The funding available under the Capital Assistance Scheme will facilitate the advancement of a significant construction programme and/or the acquisition of built properties where suitable and value for money opportunities exist. Local authorities will request proposals from Approved Housing Bodies, which will then be assessed for approval based mainly on meeting housing need and value for money.