Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 January 2019
263. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the reason the income thresholds for social housing are so low; his plans to increase these thresholds in view of the fact that persons above the thresholds are not eligible for a mortgage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2044/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011 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 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 at that time 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.
Whilst I am satisfied that in general these limits remain broadly reflective of accommodation costs across most parts of the country I am committed as part of the broader social housing reform agenda, to a review of income eligibility for social housing supports in each local authority area, This review is underway. The Housing Agency is continuing to carry out the detailed statistical work, which will underpin this review, on behalf of my Department.
The review will also have regard to current initiatives being brought forward in terms of affordability and cost rental and will be completed when the impacts of these parallel initiatives have been considered.
