The Housing Authority refers to the letter ‘Young couples need financial assistance’ (The Sunday Times, September 19).

The authority has always given paramount importance to young couples when setting up new schemes. For this reason, here is a list of schemes it offers, which young couples may apply for and benefit from.

The GFR scheme offers a grant to partly compensate for the expenditure for the costs to construct, complete or rehabilitate a first dwelling. One may benefit from a grant of up to €6,988.

The Grant of Loan Repayment scheme offers assistance to applicants who wish to buy their first residence from private landowners.

Under this scheme, the authority pays up to 30 per cent of the annual loan payment given by the institution to the applicant, and which does not exceed €850 a year.

Grants or assistance are given for works in rented or owned dwellings to carry out works to make them acceptably habitable, or to make them adequate for the needs of residents suffering from a disability. The maximum grant/assistance is €7,000.

Scheme R provides a rent subsidy on privately owned properties that are being used as an ordinary residence by the applicant and his/her family. One may benefit from up to €1,083 per annum.

For more detailed information call our customer care on 2299 1000 or e-mail cutomer.care@ha.gov.mt