Housing
Options
Housing Options for those
who qualify under the Safe-Home
Criteria
NB Houses shown on this page are
for illustration purposes only.
The types of properties available vary greatly from area
to area. In cities and urban areas, the properties are
generally small one or occasionally two bedroom apartments
while in the countryside, the properties tend to be small
bungalows. Click below for some
examples
Sheltered housing
The dwellings are usually of a self-contained type. They
are generally one or, sometimes, two bedroom units. Most
projects have some communal facilities on site or are built
near existing day centres where additional support services
can be accessed. In major cities accommodation is almost
always one bedroom and is small. Some projects provide a
high degree of support with on site warden, linked alarm
systems, laundry services, facilities for group meals and
activities. Other projects offer a less 'full range' of
support services and some offer none.
Housing Associations
 Most
of the Housing Associations have been formed primarily to
serve local housing needs in the areas where projects are
located. Some Associations have integrated schemes
accommodating both families and older people. Others cater
for older people only and the units in these schemes tends
to be generally small one or two bedroom units.
Each Housing Association is responsible for setting its
own rents and service charges relating to any additional
services provided. In general, rent in Housing Association
properties tends to be affordable. Some Housing Associations
have a fixed rent while others assess their rent depending
on the level of income of the resident.
Rent Supplement in the Voluntary
Sector
 Residents
on low income can apply for Rent Supplement to assist them
with their rental costs. This is a strictly means tested
benefit and is applied for through the Community Welfare
Officer. The tenant will always be paying rent even if it is
the bare minimum of euro13 per week. There is no equivalent
payment to Housing Benefit in Ireland.
Rental Accommodation Scheme
(RAS)
The Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) is a new scheme for
people who have been receiving long-term Rent Supplement
(usually for more than 18 months) and who need long-term
housing.  The
scheme is run by local authorities.
Under the scheme local authorities draw up contracts with
landlords to provide housing for people with a long-term
housing need for an agreed term. The local authority pays
the rent directly to the landlord (tenants may continue to
contribute to rents but they pay this contribution to the
local authority not to the landlord).
Samples of
Housing Associations
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