Elderly persons are being offered grants of up to €15,000 to upgrade their homes in order to continue to live in the community, Justice and Family Affairs Minister Chris Said said today.
Speaking at a press conference with Mario Galea, the Parliamentary Secretary for the Elderly, Dr Said said this grant would include an estimate of works, the process to obtain the permits, the engagement of contractors, the actual works, supervision and assistance while works were carried out.
The works may include waterpoofing, installation of bathrooms, lifts, stairlifts, new drains, whitwashing and new electricity and systems.
Mr Galea said the government was spending €1.76m per day on the elderly. Keeping the elderly in their community was key to their wellbeing.
Dr Said said that since 2008 the government had helped 729 elderly people to upgrade their homes.
He said the new scheme, called Making My House A Better Place, built on schemes which had existed to date.
Eligibility for the scheme is open for those who have assets of less than €30,000.
More details can be seen at www.housingauthority.com.mt or telephone 2299100.