Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

304. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if consideration will be given to a review of the income housing thresholds for housing waiting lists within local authorities, specifically in terms of greater degree of disregard specifically in circumstances in which there are children with severe disabilities in the household. [41441/21]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Applications for social housing support are assessed by the relevant local authority, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended.

The 2011 Regulations 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 2011 Regulations do not provide local authorities with any discretion to exceed the limits that apply to their administrative areas.

Under the Household Means Policy, which applies in all local authorities, net income for social housing assessment is defined as gross household income less income tax, PRSI, Universal Social Charge and Additional Superannuation Contribution. The Policy provides for a range of income disregards, and local authorities also have discretion to decide to disregard income that is temporary, short-term or once-off in nature.

A table setting out the details of the three bands and the limits currently applicable in each local authority area is available on the Department's website at the following link:www.gov.ie/en/publication/04c69-social-housing-support-table-of-income-limits/

The income bands are expressed in terms of a maximum net income threshold for a single-person household, with an allowance of 5% for each additional adult household member, subject to a maximum allowance under this category of 10% and separately a 2.5% allowance for each child.

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 in 2011 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.

Given the cost to the State of providing social housing, it is considered prudent and fair to direct resources to those most in need of social housing support. The current income eligibility requirements generally achieve this, providing for a fair and equitable system of identifying those households facing the greatest challenge in meeting their accommodation needs from their own resources.

However, as part of the broader social housing reform agenda, a review of income eligibility for social housing supports in each local authority area is underway. The review will have regard to current initiatives being brought forward in terms of affordable housing both for purchase and for cost rental.

Finally, the National Housing Strategy for People with a Disability 2011-2016 was extended to the end of 2021 and a review of the priority actions outlined within the strategy is being undertaken this year. A period of research and consultation is taking place to inform the development of a new Housing Strategy. The second round of consultation on the new Strategy is due to get underway in the Autumn and the new Strategy will be published by the end of the year.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

305. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 600 of 15 June 2021, when the internal working group established to consider a long-term strategy for unsold affordable housing units last met; the current members of the internal working group; when he expects the working group to meet again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41468/21]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As of Q4 2020, a total of 2,039 unsold affordable units have been identified across 19 local authorities.

These units are available for social housing and currently occupied by social housing tenants. These properties have provided homes for these tenants dating from 2009 when my Department issued guidance to local authorities on the use of unsold affordable properties as a means to meet social housing need. 

In September 2020, I convened a working group to examine the issues around these units in detail. This working group comprises members of the Local Government Management Agency, Housing Finance Agency, Housing Agency, Approved Housing Bodies through the Irish Council of Social Housing and my Department.

The group last met in November 2020. The next meeting is planned for September 2021.