Free Healthy Homes Assessment: How to Get Grants & Referrals

If you’re over 65 and worried about staying safe and warm in your own home, you might be surprised to learn that a free professional assessment could unlock thousands of euros in home improvement grants. The Healthy Age Friendly Homes Programme offers a no-cost home health check that tests air quality, radon, and energy efficiency — and the results can be your ticket to grants like the Housing Aid for Older People Grant, worth up to €10,700. This guide walks you through exactly how to get a free assessment, what it covers, and how to turn that report into real funding for your home modifications.

Certified home health assessments performed: 50,000+ (UK and Ireland) · Assessment components included: Air quality, radon, energy efficiency · Grant programs available: Age Friendly Home Grant, Older Persons Grant

Four key facts, one pattern: the path from a free assessment to grant funding is more direct than most people realise — but the details vary by county.

Where can I get a free healthy homes assessment near me?

Online directories for assessment providers

Start with the Healthy Age Friendly Homes Programme, run by local authorities in partnership with Age Friendly Ireland. Their national office at 046 9248899 can connect you with a local coordinator. The service is free for people aged 65 or over. A coordinator visits your home, identifies hazards, and guides you through the grant application process.

Other providers include Healthy Homes Ireland and Healthy Home Check, both offering certified assessments that test air quality, radon, and energy efficiency. These are commercial services, but they may offer free initial screenings.

Government health department programs

Ireland’s Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (government department) oversees the Housing Aid for Older People Grant. This grant is means-tested and applies to privately owned homes. You apply through your local authority, not through a central website. The free assessment from the Healthy Age Friendly Homes Programme often serves as the evidence you need to support your application.

Local aging services

Contact your local Age Friendly Ireland coordinator or your county council’s housing department. They can provide the Healthy Age Friendly Homes Programme referral form and arrange a visit. The programme is designed to identify older people who could benefit from extra help to continue living in their own home.

The implication: the easiest way to get a free assessment is to call the national office, but your local council is the gatekeeper for grants.

What constitutes a healthy home?

Key elements of a healthy home environment

According to the Irish Green Building Council (IGBC) (sustainability standards body), a healthy home is “user-friendly, sustainably designed, constructed and maintained to support its occupants’ complete physical, mental and social well-being.” That means a home that is safe, comfortable, and energy-efficient. It should have good indoor air quality, safe drinking water, and be free from hazards like trip risks or fire dangers.

Indoor air quality standards

Professional assessments measure radon, carbon monoxide, humidity, and particulate matter. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (national environmental regulator) sets recommended radon levels — action is recommended above 200 Bq/m³. Good ventilation is key to preventing moisture buildup and mould.

Safety and accessibility features

A healthy home for an older person includes wide doorways, non-slip flooring, grab bars, and a step-free entrance. These features reduce fall risk and support independent living. The Age Friendly Ireland (national ageing network) emphasises that homes should be adaptable as needs change.

The pattern: a healthy home is not just about repair — it’s about design that supports the person living in it for the long term.

What are the signs of an unhealthy home?

Common indicators of poor indoor air quality

• Persistent mould or damp patches on walls or ceilings (HSE (national health service) links mould to respiratory issues)
• Musty smells that don’t go away with cleaning
• Condensation on windows, especially in winter

Structural and maintenance issues

• Draughty windows and doors, leading to heat loss and high bills
• Peeling paint or wallpaper, indicating moisture behind walls
• Uneven floors or cracked steps, creating trip hazards

Health symptoms linked to housing

Living in a home with poor ventilation and dampness can cause or worsen asthma, allergies, and chronic cough. The HSE (health service) advises that persistent respiratory symptoms, especially in children or older adults, should prompt a home environment check.

The trade-off: ignoring these signs can lead to higher healthcare costs down the line, while a free assessment catches problems early.

What is the age friendly home grant?

Eligibility criteria for the age friendly home grant

The Housing Aid for Older People Grant is the main grant in Ireland. It’s available to homeowners aged 66 or over living in privately owned homes. The Citizens Information (official state guidance) states it is means-tested: households with annual income below €37,500 get 100% of costs up to €10,700; households earning between €62,501 and €75,000 get only 30%; those over €75,000 are not eligible.

How to apply for the grant

No medical documents are required — the grant is based on the condition of the home. You need to provide evidence of gross household income for the previous tax year, proof that your Local Property Tax is up to date, and that your tax affairs are in order. The Local Government Management Agency (localgov.ie) (local authority coordination body) notes that income thresholds may vary by county, so check with your local council.

Maximum grant amount and covered improvements

Since 1 December 2024, the maximum is €10,700 or 100% of the cost, whichever is lower. Covered improvements include essential repairs, bathroom modifications, grab bars, ramps, and heating system upgrades. The gov.ie (government press release) also notes that under the housing adaptation scheme, grants of up to €40,000 are available for disabled people, and up to €8,000 for mobility aids.

Why this matters: the grant is generous but strictly income-limited. A free assessment ensures you know exactly what work is needed before you apply.

What do healthy age-friendly homes do?

Benefits of age-friendly home modifications

Age-friendly homes reduce fall risk — the leading cause of injury among older adults. Features like wide doorways, walk-in showers, and emergency call systems allow people to live independently longer. The Age Friendly Ireland (national ageing network) states that these modifications “enable older adults to live independently longer.”

How assessments lead to specific improvements

After a free assessment, the coordinator provides a report listing recommended modifications. This report becomes the basis for your grant application. For example, if radon levels are high, you can use the grant to install a radon sump. If the bathroom is unsafe, the grant covers a walk-in shower and grab bars.

Independent living and fall prevention

According to the HSE (health service), one in three people over 65 falls each year. Home modifications are one of the most effective ways to prevent falls. The free assessment identifies risks before a fall happens.

The implication: a free assessment isn’t just a check — it’s a preventive health measure that can keep you in your home for years longer.

How to Get a Free Healthy Homes Assessment: Step-by-Step

1. Call the national office at 046 9248899 to request a local coordinator appointment (South Dublin County Council (local authority)).
2. Complete the referral form provided by the coordinator. No medical documents needed.
3. Schedule a home visit. The coordinator inspects air quality, radon, energy efficiency, and safety.
4. Receive a report listing recommended improvements and estimated costs.
5. Apply for the Housing Aid for Older People Grant through your local authority. Include the assessment report, income evidence, and proof of tax compliance.
6. If approved, hire a registered contractor to carry out the work. The grant is paid after the work is completed and inspected.

Confirmed facts vs. What’s unclear

What the experts say

We provide certified home health assessments. We test air quality, radon, and energy efficiency to keep your home safe.

– Healthy Homes Ireland

A healthy home is a user-friendly home, sustainably designed, constructed and maintained to support its occupants’ complete physical, mental and social well-being.

– Irish Green Building Council (IGBC) (sustainability standards body)

The purpose of this referral is to identify an older person who could benefit from some extra help and support in order to continue living in their own home.

– Age Friendly Ireland (national ageing network)

For Irish homeowners aged 65 or over, the choice is clear: call the Healthy Age Friendly Homes Programme national office, get your free assessment, and use the report to apply for the Housing Aid for Older People Grant — or risk missing out on up to €10,700 in funding that could keep you safe and independent at home.

Frequently asked questions