Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 388: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the position under SI 84 of 2011 regarding assessment of housing need whereby a person has already moved out of the family home and is in rented accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31493/11]

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It is open to any person or household to apply to a housing authority for an assessment of their housing need. It is a matter solely for the housing authority concerned to determine whether an applicant for social housing support is eligible for and in need of that support. The authority must make its determination in accordance with the provisions of section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, and regulations made under that section, primarily the Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, having regard to the particular circumstances of the case. As Minister I am precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to any particular case with which a housing authority is or may be concerned.

Regulation 23 of the Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011 sets out the aspects of a household's current accommodation to which the housing authority shall have regard when determining a household's need for social housing support. Detailed guidance was issued to housing authorities by my Department at the time the Regulations came into effect. This guidance includes suggested approaches for authorities when considering applications for social housing support, including situations where the applicant is living in their current accommodation for a period of less than 3 months and situations where the applicant claims it is no longer possible to live in the family home.