Housing grants

The Housing Authority is trying hard to put a smile on homeowners’ faces as it introduces new grant schemes under the acronym A S.M.I.L.E.

The schemes, replacing similar ones, will all be means tested, targeting those who really need assistance. Grants will be capped and the new schemes also reflect amendments made to the rent laws.

Scheme A, standing for alterations, provides assistance to tenants in owner-occupied or rented properties to improve the premises. In the latter case, the grant awarded will only cover structural works to bring the buildings in line with the new rent regulations.

Scheme SM, standing for structural maintenance, allows the authority to carry out structural works to prevent any danger. This will increase the yearly rent by six per cent of the costs incurred by the authority, as specified by the new rent laws.

Improvements, falling under scheme I, can be subsidised in ­private and government property occupied by tenants.

This scheme only applies to houses built before 1995 and only applies to improvement and maintenance works done by ­tenants.

Scheme L covers alterations to residences occupied by people with a disability, specifically relating to accessibility. This scheme will cover installation of lifts or stair lifts and any further alterations required to make these people’s lives independent or semi-independent.

Scheme E refers to elevators, whereby the authority will receive applications for the installation of elevators in government and authority apartment blocks.

Labour spokesman for housing Roderick Galdes said these schemes were nothing new and he expected the government to show its social conscience by giving more help to those in need.

He also expected the authority to say how it planned to tackle the pending applications.