Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 May 2024
366. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if, in any updates to the affordable housing scheme, he would consider increasing the threshold for single-parent families based on the number of dependants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22923/24]
View answerHousing for All targets the delivery of 54,000 affordable homes by 2030, divided between affordable purchase homes and Cost Rental homes in the ratio of 2:1. A strong pipeline is in place and under continuous development.
In the case of Cost Rental homes, in August last year the Government increased the income thresholds for new tenancies, with net household income limits rising to €66,000 in Dublin and €59,000 elsewhere. These were introduced across the Cost Rental sector from 1 August 2023, replacing the former national net income limit of €53,000, and were implemented by the Affordable Housing Act 2021 (Cost Rental Eligibility) Regulations 2023 (S.I. No. 374/2023). The increased thresholds recognise that prevailing rents in the private market have increased significantly in recent years and a large cohort of private renters are experiencing severe affordability challenges, particularly in Dublin. The new thresholds apply to all Cost Rental homes provided under Part 3 of the Affordable Housing Act 2021.
In the case of a single-parent family, a single adult earner in the household would be able to have an individual net income limit up to the full threshold of €66,000 in Dublin and €59,000 elsewhere. The parameters for Cost Rental eligibility are kept under review to ensure the scheme effectively targets the support provided.
In the case of affordable homes purchased under the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme and the First Home Scheme, applicant eligibility is not dependent upon income or household size/composition. The eligibility checks for these schemes are property-specific and work from someone's purchasing capacity from a mortgage, savings, and any Help to Buy incentive.
