Application for Housing Assistance (Social Housing)

To apply for housing assistance, it is necessary to complete an application form which can be obtained by clicking here or on request from the offices of Athy Town Council.

Transfer applications from existing tenants will also be considered. Your application will be assessed under the “Scheme of Letting Priorities”. In processing your application for consideration of local authority housing various reports may be sought and taken into consideration. e.g. Medical Reports, Health Authority Reports, Environmental Health Officer Reports, Report from Social Worker, Report from other local authorities and details of certified income.

Allocation of vacant houses

As vacancies arise, they will be allocated in accordance with applicant's positions on the list as determined under the Scheme of Letting Priorities. The letting agreement sets out the conditions applying to the tenancy and must be signed by each tenant.

Rent of local authority dwellings

Rents of all houses now allocated are based on the Differential Rents Scheme, as periodically updated. This scheme sets out the minimum and the maximum rents for local authority houses with rents charged on the basis of household income.

Housing Rent Collection

Athy Town Council provides tenants with the following options of rent payment:

• Payment at the Town Council, Rathstewart, Athy;
• Payment through the An Post Household Budget Scheme for tenants in receipt of certain Social Welfare payments;
• Payment through any bank (by standing order).

Contact the Revenue Collector (Housing) to make necessary arrangements.

Non payment of housing rent may lead to legal action for recovery of the amount due or eviction from the house.

Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS)

The Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) caters for the accommodation needs of persons who are:-

• in receipt of rent supplement, normally for more than 18 months, and
• who have a long-term housing need (excluding asylum seekers or other non-nationals who do not have leave to remain in the State permanently, students and persons in receipt of rent supplement as a “back to work” incentive).

The scheme is administered by Kildare County Council, on behalf of Athy Town Council.

If you are interested in applying for accommodation under the Rental Accommodation Scheme, please contact the Housing Department of Kildare County Council at 045-980705, web.: www.kildarecoco.ie

Further information, application forms and details of the scheme are available at www.kildare.ie/CountyCouncil/Housing/RentalAccommodationScheme.

Voluntary Housing

All approved housing applicants are also eligible to apply to the two voluntary housing associations that have housing developments in Athy. A separate application must be completed and submitted to the relevant association.

1. Respond! Voluntary Housing Association - Tel.: 0818 357901. Email: info@respond.ie

    Current locations: Ardrew, Athy and Flinter's Place, Athy. Website: www.respond.ie

2. Túath Housing Association- Tel.: 01 6761602. Website: www.tuathhousing.ie

    Current location: Clonmullion, Athy