Capital Assistance Scheme

Under the Capital Assistance Scheme, Voluntary Housing bodies provide accommodation to meet special housing needs such as those of the elderly, people with a disability, homeless, returning emigrants or smaller families. These bodies are also responsible for tenancy allocations in consultation with local authorities, for example, Clonakilty Town Council. A minimum of 75% of the houses in each project are reserved for persons whose applications for local authority housing have been approved by the local authority / homeless persons or local authority tenants and tenant purchasers who return their dwellings to the local authority. Rents are determined having regard to tenants means and the cost of managing and maintaining the dwellings. Voluntary Housing Bodies are advanced a non-repayable loan from the relevant local authority, provide that the housing body is providing accommodation and services which are relevant to the scheme. This loan is fully subsidised by the Department of the Environment and Local Government.