Know where you stand on Housing

Council Houses Westmeath County Council builds approximately 50 new houses each year and also re-allocates Council houses that become vacant. All of these houses are allocated to people on the Council Housing Waiting List. Housing application forms are available from the Housing Section, Westmeath County Council. Telephone: 044-32000. House Purchase Schemes If you are on the Housing List or your gross income does not exceed £25,000, one earner, or if two earners, 2.5 times main income plus the second income does not exceed £62,500, you can qualify for the Council House Purchase Schemes. Telephone Westmeath County Council on 044-32000. Shared Ownership Scheme The Shared Ownership Scheme allows you to buy a house in two or more stages (minimum 40% at 1st stage). This will be funded by means of a mortgage, and the remainder being rented from the Council. You must have a £1,000 deposit. Mortgage is charged at a variable rate, 6.67% at 01/01/01, costing £1.59 per week per £1,000 on a 25 year loan. Rent is charged at 4.5% costing £0.87 per week per £1,000. If your gross household income is under £20,000 you will get a rent subsidy depending on means. There is no maximum house purchase price, however, the Council requires that the mortgage and subsidised rent payments will not exceed 35% of the applicant's net income, thus limiting the price of the house one can consider. Home improvement loans The Council offer home improvement loans up to £15,000 (secured) or £5,000 (unsecured and to a Council tenant). The interest rate is variable and repayments at the current interest rate of 6.00%, equal £1.95 per week for each £1,000 borrowed over 15 years. Help for pensioners The Midland Health Board operates a scheme under which repairs and maintenance can be carried out to the homes of elderly people living alone who cannot afford to arrange the repairs themselves. Tel: 044-40221. An essential repairs grant of 100% up to a maximum of £6,000 is available for essential structural repairs for old age pensioners living alone. Disabled Persons Grant A Disabled Persons Grant is available towards the cost of altering a person's home to accommodate a disabled person. A grant of 90% of the cost of works subject to a maximum of £16,000 is available. Return to Help Centre

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