With reference to the article Campaigners Recall Victim Of Unsafe Housing (January 16) the Housing Authority would like to correct the misleading statements made.

The authority offers various repair grants to improve housing conditions for tenants and home owners alike. Over the past eight years it has helped to repair around 1,845 houses, of which 589 had a dangerous structure, spending over €5.8 million (almost Lm 2.5 million). Most applications are submitted by tenants, about half of them being elderly people. To give extra support to those who would not manage the procedure themselves, in 2002 the authority introduced the Care and Repair service. Here the care aspect has been integrated in the existing repair services with members of the authority's staff giving an individualised service to the very vulnerable ones, mainly elderly persons living on their own.

It is unfortunate that too often elderly people do not accept the help offered or do not come forward to apply for help.

The Housing Authority, therefore, urges the local authorities and neighbours to inform us if they know of a person living in dangerous premises so that we can help in time and avoid another tragedy. (Tel. 2124 8260-5 or e-mail housingpr@ha.gov.mt).