Skip to main content
Normal View

Housing Policy

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 November 2021

Thursday, 11 November 2021

Questions (24, 51, 65)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Question:

24. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when he plans to announce the new income limits for social housing; if he will review the new requirement in social housing assessment regulations that means that the income of the past 12 months of the applicant is taken into account rather than the current income (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55035/21]

View answer

Maurice Quinlivan

Question:

51. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding income thresholds for those trying to avail of social housing; the discussions his Department has had on raising the threshold; his plans to have these limits raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54747/21]

View answer

Ruairí Ó Murchú

Question:

65. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the review of income eligibility for social housing supports in each local authority; the details of the new assessment methodology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55221/21]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 24, 51 and 65 together.

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 2011, as amended.

The 2011 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 2011 Regulations do not provide local authorities with any discretion to exceed the limits that apply to their administrative areas. 

The income bands are expressed in terms of a maximum net income threshold for a single-person household, with an allowance of 5% for each additional adult household member, subject to a maximum allowance under this category of 10% and separately a 2.5% allowance for each child.

A table setting out the details of the three bands and the limits currently applicable in each local authority area is available on my Department's website on the following link:

www.gov.ie/en/publication/04c69-social-housing-support-table-of-income-limits/ 

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. It is important to note that the limits introduced in 2011 also reflected a blanket increase of €5,000 introduced prior to the new system coming into operation, in order to broaden the base from which social housing tenants are drawn, both promoting sustainable communities and also providing a degree of future-proofing. 

Given the cost to the State of providing social housing, it is considered prudent and fair to direct resources to those most in need of social housing support. The current income eligibility requirements generally achieve this, providing for a fair and equitable system of identifying those households facing the greatest challenge in meeting their accommodation needs from their own resources. 

As part of the broader social housing reform agenda, a review of income eligibility for social housing supports in each local authority area is underway.  As set out in Housing for All - a New Housing Plan for Ireland, the efficiency of the banding model and its application to local authorities will be considered. Equivalisation as between singles and families will also be considered. The review will also have regard to new initiatives being brought forward in terms of affordability and Cost Rental housing. I intend that the review will be completed this year.

Under the Household Means Policy, which applies in all local authorities, net income for social housing assessment is defined as gross household income less income tax, PRSI, Universal Social Charge and Additional Superannuation Contribution. The Policy provides for a range of income disregards, and local authorities also have discretion to decide to disregard income that is temporary, short-term or once-off in nature. However, with the exception of the specific payments listed in the Household Means Policy as being disregarded, all income from social insurance and social assistance payments, allowances and benefits is assessable.

More detail on what income is assessable and the full list of disregards is also available on my Department's website at the following link: 

www.gov.ie/en/publication/fb1f2-social-housing-support-household-means-policy/ 

The determination of whether an applicant household meets the income criteria is based on a calculation of their preceding 12 months’ net average income prior to the date of receipt of application. This ensures that the most comprehensive picture of a household’s current and previous income is available at the point of carrying out the assessment.

The documentation required with regard to proof of income is set out in the social housing application form. A degree of discretion is permitted to the local authorities as to the extent of documentation the authority deems necessary to ascertain a household’s average income over the preceding 12 months in order to satisfy themselves of the household’s true income pattern.

Social housing is a long-term housing support. Where an individual has recently lost employment, rent supplement is a short-term income support for people in the private rental sector.

Under the Housing Act 1988 it is a matter for each local authority to determine whether a person is regarded as homeless; section 2 of the Act sets out the requirements in this regard.  When a household has been assessed as homeless, section 10 of the 1988 Act, provides that a local authority may provide accommodation and related services to that household.  This allows the local authority to provide an immediate response to ensure that those who are homeless are provided with the emergency accommodation required.  The ultimate aim however is to work with households to exit homelessness to homes in the shortest timeframe possible utilising the various social housing supports available.

Top
Share