A total of 659 low-income families with many children applied for a home grant
29.06.2021
This year, from 12 April through 31 May, low-income families with many children were able to apply for a KredEx home grant to improve their living conditions. A total of 659 families applied for grants in the total amount of EUR 7 million. The average grant amount is EUR 8494, and there are a total of 2320 children in the families applying for the grant.
According to Triin Reinsalu, Head of the Housing and Energy Efficiency Division at KredEx, the interest in applications shows that although a lot has been done over the years, a large number of families still need state support in renovating their homes. ‘Since 2008, we have contributed to improving the living conditions of more than 17,000 children. However, application statistics show that there are still many families who need support in order to buy a home, maintain an existing home, or make their home more modern and warm. People’s awareness, and thus their desire to make their homes energy efficient, has clearly increased over the years.’
The state benefit for improving and modernising housing conditions is meant for families with at least three up to children who are up to 19 years of age, whose income per each member of the family is up to EUR 355 per month.
The maximum amount of support is EUR 10,000. Families with three and four children, to whom support has been allocated once before, are now eligible to apply for an additional EUR 5,000. Families with five or more children, to whom support has been allocated once before, are now also eligible to apply for an additional EUR 10,000.
The largest number of applications were received from Harju County (125), Ida-Viru County (106), Tartu County (65), and Lääne-Viru County (54). The fewest applications were received from Hiiu County (4), Lääne County (14), and Järva County (16). Of the applicants, 498 submitted an application for the first time and 161 were repeat applicants.
In total, just over EUR 3 million will be distributed to improve the living conditions of families with many children.
There are a number of different ways in which the non-refundable 100% support can be used. For instance, in the case of expenditures related to the erecting, renovating, rebuilding, or expanding of a home, but also for costs related to establishing, changing, or replacing the technical systems or networks within the home. In addition, it can be used to buy a house or an apartment if the family does not have their own home or if the house or apartment they own does not meet modern living conditions.
Last year, the most support was provided for the acquisition of housing (129 cases). A total of 128 families received support last year for the renovation, building or reconstruction of housing.
Over a period of 14 years, we have improved the living conditions of more than 17,000 children. In total, KredEx has provided more than EUR 35 million in support for improving the living conditions of low-income families with many children.
Applications are currently being processed to check the eligibility of applications and the applicants. Before making the decision, KredEx will conduct an on-site inspection of the applicants. Decisions are expected in the autumn.