Brian O'Shea
Question:518 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if rental subsidy scheme tenants are entitled to become tenant purchasers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9009/98]
Vol. 489 No. 6
518 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if rental subsidy scheme tenants are entitled to become tenant purchasers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9009/98]
The rental subsidy scheme does not provide for the purchase of houses by the tenants. This issue was carefully considered and it was found that a tenant purchase scheme for rental subsidy housing would not be feasible as the sale of individual houses would undermine the capacity and resources of voluntary housing bodies to manage and maintain their estates and continue to provide further housing projects to meet pressing needs.
Residents of rental subsidy houses of more than one year's duration who wish to become owner-occupiers may, however, on surrendering their house to the approved body, qualify for the following benefits available to local authority tenants surrendering their houses to the authority: special mortgage allowance of £4,500 over five years to assist with mortgage repayments; the shared ownership system without having to satisfy the income elegibility criteria; improvement works-in-lieu; affordable housing sites; and exemption from the income limit for local authority housing loans.
Full details of these options are available from local authorities who are responsible for administering the rental subsidy scheme in their areas.
519 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the conditions which apply to rent schemes under the rental subsidy scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9010/98]
Under the terms of the rental subsidy scheme, the rent payable to an approved housing body by the tenant of a house qualifying for subsidy, is calculated annually by reference to income in the tax year ending on 5 April preceding the start of the subsidy year. The rent payable is £5 per week for the first £80 (or less) of household income per week, plus £0.18 per week for each additional £1 of income over £80, with an abatement of £1 per week for each dependent child residing in the house (subject to the rent not being less than £5 per week), plus £0.18 per week for each £1 of subsidiary income in excess of £80 per week subject to the rent per subsidiary income not exceeding £20 per week.