Housing, Local Government and Heritage | Income thresholds for local authority housing list

To ask the Minister for Housing; Local Government and Heritage the extent, if any, to which it is expected to increase the income thresholds for qualification for eligibility for the local authority housing list having particular regard to the fact that the current income thresholds make it impossible for certain categories of persons to qualify for either a local or inclusion on local authority housing list; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

REPLY

Applications for social housing support are assessed by the relevant local authority, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations.

The regulations prescribe maximum net income limits for each local authority, in different bands according to the area concerned, with income being defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy.

The income bands and the authority area assigned to each band were based on an assessment of the income needed to provide for a household’s basic needs, plus a comparative analysis of the local rental cost of housing accommodation across the country. A blanket increase of €5,000 was also introduced prior to the new system coming into operation.

Housing for All – A New Housing Plan for Ireland was published in September 2021 and, as part of a broad suite of social housing reforms, committed to reviewing income eligibility for social housing.

The review, which examined, inter alia, the efficiency of the current banding model and income limits applicable to local authorities, has been completed. I am currently considering its findings and expect to decide on proposed changes and recommendations shortly.