Rural Priority Areas

What are Rural Priority Areas?

Belleek and Boa, Co. Fermanagh

Belcoo and Garrison, Co. Fermanagh

Derrygonnelly, Co. Fermanagh

Derrylin, Co. Fermanagh

Rosslea, Co. Fermanagh

Newtonbutler, Co. Fermanagh

Pomeroy, Co. Tyrone

Newtonstewart, Co. Derry

Glendun, Co. Antrim

Bonamargy and Rathlin, Co. Antrim

All of these areas have been designated Rural Priority Areas for a period of at least five years.

This means that enhanced grant aid may be available to those within these areas. Granting of Rural Priority Area status to these areas is integral to the Housing Executive's combating unfitness and disrepair in rural Northern Ireland.

Due to a funding shortfall, the Housing Executive is currently prioritising grants awards. This means that, even if you live in a rural priority area, some grants may be generally unavailable until further funds are secured. The Housing Executive may not agree to accept any new preliminary enquiries while their grants programme is affected by the funding shortfall.

Find out more about 'prioritisation of grants'.

What does enhanced grant aid include?

This grant aid includes:

Renovation Grants for properties that are fit but in disrepair.

Home Repair Assistance Grants for owner occupiers and tenants over 70 years of age where their properties are in disrepair, regardless of their state of fitness. Grant aid in this category is available for certain repairs and re-workings.

Replacement Grants - These may be available to replace unfit dwellings in rural areas on provision of undertakings by the landlord to make property available to those in housing need for at least five years.

Landlord contributions to grant aided works will be reduced from 50% to 25% of the approved cost of the eligible works for Renovation, Replacement and Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) grants.

If you live in any of the Rural Priority Areas listed above and would like to know more about accessing grant aid, contact your local Grants Office.