Housing Loans

Housing Loans & Grants

Loans

Kilkenny County Council provides a number of loan options that will facilitate those who qualify in accessing home ownership. These include: -
- House Purchase Loan (Annuity Loan)
- Affordable Housing Loan
- Shared Ownership Loan
- Home Choice Loan
- Reconstruction Loan (to repair/refurbish or extend an existing dwelling)

Kilkenny County Council can consider loan applications for the purchase or construction of houses situated within its administrative area from persons who have been refused by a Building Society and a Bank (letters of refusal must accompany the application) and who satisfy the eligible requirements.

The following general criteria apply to most loan applicants: -

Persons Entitled to House Purchase loans:
(a) A first time buyer being persons who either individually or jointly have never purchased or built a house. (There are certain exceptions in relation to Divorced or Separated Applicants)
(b) Aged between 18 and 70 years
(c) Earning under €50,000 as a single applicant and under €75,000 as joint applicant, and
(d) In the case of the primary earner on the application, in continuous employment for at least two years (this can be self employment) and the second applicant must have at least one year. (Certain exceptions can be considered)
(e) Persons who have been accepted on the Council's housing list
(f) Local Authority tenants or tenant purchasers who wish to buy a private house and return their present home to the Local Authority.
(g) A tenant, for more than one year of a house provided by a Voluntary Housing Body under the Rental Subsidy Scheme, who wishes to buy a private house and return present home to the Body.

Your are informed that an Irish Credit Bureau search on each applicant will also be undertaken by the Local Authority before loan approval is given in respect of any loan (except an application for Reconstruction Loan).

House Purchase Loan (Annuity Loan)

This loan is normally available to first time buyers who have been refused by a Building Society and a Bank and whose household income in the previous tax year does not exceed €50,000 for a single person or €75,000 for a couple. There are certain exceptions in relation to Divorced or Separated Applicants. The maximum loan amount advanced under this loan is €220,000 or 97% of the value of the house. The current Fixed Interest Rate is 4.40% and the current Variable Interest Rate is 3.0%. The repayment period is normally over 15, 25 and 30 years.
Download Application Form:House Purchase Loan Application Form.doc (size 644.6 KB)

Affordable Housing Loan

This loan is utilised to purchase a specific house which the Council may have for sale under the Affordable Housing Scheme. The houses for sale under this Scheme are sold at a discount from the current market value. The Council can extend a loan to successful applicants to a maximum of 97% of the value of the house not exceeding €220,000. Income limits of under €50,000 for a single person and under €75,000 for a couple apply. Kilkenny County Council has a number of properties for sale under the Affordable Housing Scheme which are located as follows: -

Location House Type Price No of Units
The Weir 2 bed first floor apt €poa 1
2 bed gr floor €poa 1

Note: This information is current at November 2011- please consult our webpage for regular updates and new locations. See also affordablehome.ie

If you are interested in any of the above properties, you may wish to apply for 'Provisional Approval'. If 'Provisional Approval' is obtained, a more comprehensive Application Form must then be completed and returned together with relevant documentation.
Download 'Provisional Approval Application' Form:Affordable Housing Loan 'Provisional Approval' Application Form.doc (size 1.2 MB)

Home Choice Loan

This loan is available through authorised mortgage brokers only and is provided nationwide by four designated Local Authorities. Kilkenny County Council is a designated Local Authority for the following locations: - Kilkenny, Longford, Westmeath, Offaly, Laois, Carlow and Wexford. First time buyers can apply for a Home Choice Loan to purchase a new property, second hand property or build their own home. The Home Choice Loan provides up to 92% of the market value of a property purchased. The maximum loan amount is €285,000. There is one variable interest rate which is currently set at 3.50% variable. APR 2.94%. To find out if you are eligible, or to apply for a Home Choice Loan, please see www.homechoiceloan.ie.

Shared Ownership Loan

This facility is currently not available. Please contact House Loans Section to discuss other loan options.

Reconstruction Loan

Kilkenny County Council may consider applications for loans to persons proposing to execute reconstruction, repair or improvement works on a house for their own occupation. Loans of up to €38,000, over a maximum period of 15 years, may be considered. Generally the following persons may be entitled to apply for this loan: -
(a) Farmers whose rateable valuation does not exceed €56 and persons working on their parents farm, the total rateable valuation of which does not exceed €84
(b) Other persons whose income does not exceed the qualifying limit for a loan e.g. Single income household = €40,000 or Double income household = multiply the gross income (before tax) of the principal earner in the last tax year by 2.5 and add the gross income of the subsidiary (lesser) earner in the last income tax year. If the result is €100,000 or less you are eligible.

Where special hardship would be caused by a strict adherence to the means test, the Council reserve the right to make a loan available to a person outside the prescribed means test.
Further Information and Application Forms are available from the Housing Authority.
Download Application Form:Reconstruction Loan Application Form.doc (size 291.3 KB)

Housing Grants

Kilkenny County Council also administers a number of grant options to assist persons in the carrying out of works which are reasonably necessary for the purposes of rendering a house more suitable for the accommodation of a person with a disability and older persons.

These include: -
- Housing Aid for Older People Grant
- Housing Adaptation Grant for a Person with a Disability
- Mobility Aids Grant Scheme

Housing Aid for Older People Grant

The purpose of this grant is to assist older people to have necessary repairs or improvements carried out to their existing accommodation. The type of works grant aided under the scheme include structural repairs or improvements, re-wiring, repairs to/replacement of windows and doors, the provision of heating, water and sanitary services, cleaning, painting and drylining. The level of grant aid available is determined on the basis of gross household income and shall be between 30% - 100% of the approved cost of the works.
Further Information and Application Forms are available from the Housing Authority.
Download Application Form:Housing Aid for Older People Grant Application Form.doc (size 135.2 KB)

Housing Adaptation Grant for a Person with a Disability

This grant is available to assist in the carrying out of works which are reasonably necessary for the purposes of rendering a house more suitable for the accommodation of a person with a disability who has an enduring physical, sensory, mental health or intellectual impairment. The types of works allowable under the scheme include the provision of access ramps, downstairs toilet facilities, stair-lifts, accessible showers, adaptations to facilitate wheelchair access, extensions, and any other works which are reasonably necessary for the purposes of rendering a house more suitable for the accommodation of a person with a disability. The level of grant aid available is determined on the basis of gross household income and shall be between 30% - 95% of the approved cost of the works.
Further Information and Application Forms are available from the Housing Authority.
Download Application Form:Housing Adaptation Grant Form.doc (size 150 KB)

Mobility Aids Grant Scheme

The Mobility Aids Housing Grant is available to cover a basic suite of works to address mobility problems, primarily, but not exclusively, associated with ageing. The works grant aided under the scheme include the following: - Grab-rails, Access ramps, Level access showers, Stair-lifts and other minor works deemed necessary to facilitate the mobility needs of a member of a household. The effective maximum grant is €6,000 or 100% the cost of the works, whichever is the lesser and the grant is available to households whose gross annual household income does not exceed €30,000.
Further Information and Application Forms are available from the Housing Authority.
Download Application Form:Mobility Aids Grant Application Form.doc (size 130.6 KB)

Voluntary Housing

Kilkenny has a long tradition of voluntary activity in the area of housing provision. Throughout the County and City schemes for elderly persons, those with a mental or physical disability and for the homeless have been provided.
Assistance is available to approved Voluntary Bodies for the provision of housing units under the following categories: -

Capital Assistance Scheme

Under this scheme, Approved Voluntary Bodies provide accommodation, generally one or two bed roomed units, to meet special housing needs such as those of the elderly, disabled or disadvantaged in their area. The voluntary body decides on the type of housing projects/services they intend to provide, having regard to local needs and in consultation with the Local Authority and then make an application to the Local Authority for assistance under the scheme. The project is subject to Planning Permission. Approval must be received from The Local Authority prior to commencement. A minimum of 75% of the houses in each project must be allocated to approved applicants on the Council's housing waiting list. The remaining houses in a project are let to people nominated by the voluntary housing body. However, the Local Authority has full consultation rights with regard to the allocation of all tenancies. Rents are determined, having regard to tenants' means and the cost of managing and maintaining the dwellings. A list of the proposed applicants must be supplied to the Council with the application for assistance.

Capital Loan and Subsidy Scheme

Under this scheme, an Approved Voluntary Body provides housing to meet the needs of low-income families. An application for funding is made to the local Authority and approval to the project must be received from the Local Authority prior to the commencement of work. Planning permission is required also. The houses are let by the Voluntary Body to approved applicants on the Local Authority housing waiting list. Tenants of the houses are centrally involved in the management of their estates.
Current schemes in Kilkenny have been provided by Respond Voluntary Housing Association in Goresbridge, Clogh and Kilkenny City and by Cluid in Callan.

Further Information is available from the Housing Authority.

Private Sites

Kilkenny County Council may from time to time acquire land and develop private sites for sale to individuals for the provision of modest sized houses. These sites are fully serviced by roads, water, sewerage, and public lighting and are priced according to the costs met by Kilkenny County Council in purchasing the land initially and the development and provision of the services. Applicants must satisfy the general following criteria to be eligible to purchase a private site: - be in need of housing accommodation, a First time buyers, an applicant on Local Authority Housing List, a persons who would be eligible for inclusion on Local Authority Housing List, a Local Authority Tenant or Tenant Purchaser and must satisfy income criteria.

There are no sites available under this scheme at this time (November 2011), however for details and locations of any upcoming plans, please consult our webpage on a regular basis or contact the Housing Office directly.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON ANY OF THE ABOVE, YOU MAY CONTACT THE HOUSING LOANS SECTION DIRECTLY
Kilkenny County Council
Housing Section
John's Green House
John's Green
Kilkenny
Tel. 056-7794900
Email Housing@kilkennycoco.ie