I propose to take Questions Nos. 337, 345 and 349 together.
In relation to social housing, the Housing section of each Local Authority’s website contains detailed information in relation to matters such as eligibility, applications, allocations, and rents. Decisions on the qualification of applicants for social housing support, the most appropriate form of any such support, and the allocation of that support should be progressed through the local authority concerned. In addition, the Housing Agency have also produced a number of guides to help applicants understand what options are available to them. Further information is available at: www.housingagency.ie/housing-information/social-housing-options
Specifically in relation to the income limits for Social Housing, my Department increased the baseline social housing income thresholds by €5,000 for all local authorities with effect from 1st January 2023. Further information is available at www.gov.ie/en/publication/04c69-social-housing-support-table-of-income-limits/
Any application assessed and deemed ineligible between 18 November 2021 and 31 December 2022, and which would have met the new income thresholds, can be resubmitted. Any household removed from the local authority waiting list since 18 November 2021, but which now qualifies under the new thresholds, can retain the time already accrued on the list as well as any time that they would have accrued if they had remained on the waiting list.
Furthermore, my Department has begun work to develop a new social housing income eligibility model and I expect proposals for a new model to be submitted for my consideration in Q2 2023.
In addition, eligible applicants for Social Housing may have the option of using Choice Based Letting. Choice Based Letting (CBL) is a method whereby available social housing stock is let by being openly advertised by local authorities to persons on the social housing waiting list. This allows qualified applicants to 'register an interest' in available homes.
Applicants can act on their own initiative to respond to adverts and express an interest in dwellings that they would like to live in, rather than waiting for an authority to offer them a dwelling. This approach offers more choice and involvement for applicant households in selecting a new home, thereby reducing the likelihood of a refusal, and helping to build sustainable tenancies and stable communities.
Currently, more than half of local authorities operate CBL. Given the benefits offered by CBL, including fewer refusals and greater choice for qualified households, my Department continues to liaise with the local authorities to support as wide a roll-out of CBL as possible across the country.
In relation to affordable housing, the Housing Agency, on behalf of my Department, is managing the delivery of a public facing information website which will provide explanatory information on each of the affordable housing options available as set out in the Affordable Housing Act 2021, including Cost Rental housing. It is anticipated that this will be operational by the end of May 2023.
The Housing Agency, on behalf of my Department, is also managing the delivery of a centralised application web portal for affordable homes. This web portal is intended to cater for applicants for affordable purchase homes and cost rental homes throughout the country and will involve a substantial IT procurement process. A working group consisting of local authorities, the LGMA and my Department with input from the AHB sector has been established to assist in the identification of the requirements for this web platform. It is anticipated that a tender document will be ready to issue in June 2023.
In addition, measures such as the Help to Buy Scheme, are also nationally available to eligible first-time purchasers to make home ownership more affordable.
The Help-to-Buy incentive supports First-time Buyers in meeting the deposit requirements for newly-built houses or apartments, as well as self-build homes. Subject to the level of income tax and DIRT paid over the previous 4 years, the Help-to-Buy scheme provides a maximum benefit to First-Time Buyers of €30,000 or 10% of the cost of the newly constructed home. As of the end of April 2023, nearly 39,000 first-time buyers have been supported by this incentive.
Lastly, it is important to note that matters such as mortgage deposit requirements and mortgage borrowing ability come under the remit of the Central Bank of Ireland, which is an independent body. Relevant information is available at the following Central Bank link: www.centralbank.ie/financial-system/financial-stability/macro-prudential-policy/mortgage-measures.
