Written answers
Wednesday, 3 October 2007
Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government
Social and Affordable Housing
8:00 pm
Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 257: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his views on a review of the affordable housing scheme income limits in view of the fact that many applicants are no longer qualifying for inclusion as their income is no longer adequate under the conditions of the present scheme and many applicants have to return to the social housing lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21961/07]
Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Applicants for affordable housing under Part V of the Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2006 or the Affordable Housing Initiative satisfy the income eligibility requirement if the mortgage repayments for suitable accommodation available in the market would exceed 35% of their net income. There are no plans to change this approach, which provides a mechanism for taking into account up to date net incomes, house prices and mortgage servicing costs in determining an applicant's eligibility.
In the case of the Shared Ownership and the 1999 Affordable Housing Schemes, the annual income limit for a single income household is â¬40,000, while the annual limit for a two income household is â¬100,000, using the formula of 21â2 times the main income plus once the secondary income. These income limits are under review and I hope to be in a position to announce the outcome of that review shortly.
There is no minimum income qualifying requirement set under any of the affordable housing schemes. However, in approving an affordable home purchase, a local authority must consider the ability of the applicant to make the necessary mortgage payments and satisfy itself that the borrower's income is sufficient to meet the financial commitments involved.
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