Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 July 2023
21. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to ensure that older working people who do not own their own home and are currently above social housing limits will be protected on retirement or able to seamlessly transition to social housing on retirement. [33034/23]
View answerGovernment policy in relation to housing for older people, as set out in Housing for All: A New Housing Plan for Ireland, is to support people to live with dignity and independence in their own homes and communities for as long as possible, to allow them to ‘age in place’ close to their families, friends and in their community.
Pathway 2 of Housing for All commits to expanding the housing options available for Older Persons, building on the work done under the 2019 Joint Policy Statement, Housing Options for our Ageing Population, which has the objective of providing housing options for older people to facilitate ageing in place, in their own homes and communities, with dignity and independence, and deliver an appropriate range of housing and related support services, in an integrated and sustainable manner.
Where an older person is renting in the private sector, they may qualify for social housing supports or rent supplement when they reach retirement. In addition, local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies are encouraged to bring forward social homes specifically designed for older people in their area and my Department funds this principally through the Capital Assistance Scheme.
Where older persons are above the income thresholds for social housing, they are protected, as are all private renters, by RPZs which limit rent increases and the improvements this government has already made regarding security of tenure. They may also qualify for cost rental housing and this government is working on scaling up the supply of cost rental homes to meet the needs of those who are experiencing affordability challenges in the private rental sector.
