Scheme E

Installation of Lifts in Government Owned Residential Blocks/ Entrances


 

Overview

The Housing Authority receives applications for the installation of lifts in blocks/entrances of apartment in Malta or Gozo, owned by the Government or the Housing Authority, which are occupied by tenants recognised by the Government. In case of building having different entrances or doors that are distinct and independent from each other and where more than one lift would be necessary, separate applications need to be submitted for each lift.

Who can apply:


Lifts will be installed under the following conditions:

(1) At least one of the applicants or his/her relative that lives in the building must have a disability related to mobility or mobility problems. This applicant shall be means tested.

(2) At least one of the applicants must be a tenant recognised by the Government.

(3) All the tenants/owners living in the block must be members of the Residents’ Association applying to install a lift.

(4)The block/entrance must be at least three storey high from road level.

(5)The block/entrance must be planned in such a manner that a lift installed is accessible to all the apartments and can be installed with the least structural alterations possible.

(6)The necessary permits must to be obtained from the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA), from the Lands Department, as well as third parties whose consent is necessary in order to carry out the necessary works and alterations.

(7)Before an application is submitted, the residents must form a Residents’ Association of the block/entrance. This Association must accept full responsibility for the maintenance of the lift, the maintenance of the common parts, payments for the consumption of electricity and telephone line of the lift, as well as payments for the necessary repairs and maintenance of this same lift.

(8)The aggregate annual income of the applicant/s should not exceed € 28,302.65

(9) Assets should not exceed € 30,000.


An application shall not qualify under this Scheme if:


(a) The Residents’ Association is not set up and there is no resolution signed by at least two thirds of all the members of the Residents’ Association agreeing with the conditions of this scheme.

(b) The member of the Residents’ Association who is or his/her relative that lives in his/her residence must have a disability related to mobility or mobility problems does not qualify under the means test.

Benefits granted


Each member of the Residents’ Association who participates in this scheme must contribute his/her share of the price for the installation of the lift, according to the number of apartments in the block and the number of tenants/owners in the block that participate in the scheme. This amount has to be paid by the members before they are given the keys of the lift. Those tenants/owners who do not participate in the scheme cannot make use of the lift.

Nevertheless, owners who are or have any relative living in their residence has a disability related to mobility or mobility problems and tenants that are participating in this scheme, can benefit from a subsidy on their share according to the means test as described below:

(a) applicant and spouse/partner possesses capital exceeding € 30,000 during the last three years preceding the date of application till the approval of the grant of subsidy under this Scheme.

(b) The assistance subsidy shall be based on the aggregate annual income according to the following schedule:

 

 

Aggregate Annual Income for a Basic Calendar Year

 

Percentage of Assistance payable by the Housing Authority on the share of the total cost involved

 

0,000 to 11,302.64

100%

11,302.65to 15,302.64

70%

15,302.65 to 19,302.64

50%

19,302.65 to 25,302.64

30%

25,302.65 to 28,302.64

10%

28,302.65 and more         

Nil



(c) If the application is disqualified under the conditions of this scheme and thus the lift is not installed, however the member of the Residents’ Association who is or have any relatives living with him with a disability related to mobility and qualifies under the means test, can be offered financial assistance under Scheme L under which the applicant can benefit from a maximum of €5,000 for the share of the applicant which share depends upon the number of apartments and tenants/owners participating in the scheme

Priority System


Each application that qualifies under this scheme shall be given priority according to the gravity of the disability and the urgent need to install the lift in the block.

An administrative fee of € 40 is to be paid upon submission of application form.

More detailed information can be found in the Applications section.