Written answers

Thursday, 11 November 2021

Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government

Homeless Accommodation

Photo of Mark WardMark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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22. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the protocol with regard to those living in homeless accommodation provided by a local authority in cases in which the income levels of persons change to an extent that it puts them over the income threshold for social housing; if they can remain on the housing list with no penalties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54639/21]

Photo of Darragh O'BrienDarragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Housing Act 1988 it is a matter for each local authority to determine whether a person is regarded as homeless; section 2 of the Act sets out the requirements in this regard.  When a household has been assessed as homeless, section 10 of the 1988 Act provides that a local authority may provide accommodation and related services to that household.   This allows the local authority to provide an immediate response to ensure that those who are homeless are provided with the emergency accommodation required.  The ultimate aim however is to work with households to exit homelessness to homes in the shortest timeframe possible utilising the various social housing supports available.

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.

Under Regulation 28 of the Assessment Regulations, a household’s qualification for support may be reviewed at the discretion of a local authority and Regulation 29 provides that the household’s qualification for support shall be reassessed at the point of allocation of support. If upon review, a household is found to exceed the limits on income eligibility grounds, for example, they would be removed from the list. Furthermore, authorities are also required, when directed by the Minister, to undertake a statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments (SSHA) to count the number of households on the waiting list for social housing supports whose need has not yet been met. The SSHA process requires all local authorities to review those households who are on their housing list but who are not currently in receipt of housing support.  

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. 

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. 

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. However, with the exception of the specific payments listed in the Household Means Policy as being disregarded, all income from social insurance and social assistance payments, allowances and benefits is assessable.

The determination of whether an applicant household meets the income criteria is based on a calculation of their preceding 12 months’ net average income prior to the date of receipt of application. This ensures that the most comprehensive picture of a household’s current and previous income is available at the point of carrying out the assessment.

The documentation required with regard to proof of income is set out in the social housing application form. A degree of discretion is permitted to the local authorities as to the extent of documentation the authority deems necessary to ascertain a household’s average income over the preceding 12 months in order to satisfy themselves of the household’s true income pattern. 

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. 

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.  As set out in Housing for All - a New Housing Plan for Ireland, the efficiency of the banding model and its application to local authorities will be considered. Equivalisation as between singles and families will also be considered. The review will also have regard to new initiatives being brought forward in terms of affordability and Cost Rental housing. I intend that the review will be completed this year.

Photo of Gino KennyGino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
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23. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government his views on whether a service (details supplied) and the housing assistance payment limits are fit for purpose considering the national policy of preventing homelessness; the new measures he plans to put in place to ensure that the number of persons in homelessness does not continue to increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55040/21]

Photo of Darragh O'BrienDarragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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Supporting individuals and families at risk of homelessness is a key Government priority.  ‘Housing for All - a New Housing Plan for Ireland’, sets an ambitious objective of working to eradicate homelessness by 2030 and outlines details on how the Government is approaching this challenge.

Housing for All commits to taking action to prevent entries into homelessness in the first instance and to help those experiencing homelessness to exit into secure and sustained tenancies.  The overriding objective of Government is to provide homes through the various social housing supports available.  If a household has been deemed eligible for social housing support, it is a matter for the local authority to examine the suite of social housing supports available, including the HAP scheme, to determine the most appropriate form of social housing support for that household in the administrative area of that local authority.  

Each local authority has statutory discretion to agree to a HAP payment up to 20% above the prescribed maximum rent limit to secure appropriate accommodation for a household that requires it, or up to 50% in the case of homeless households in the Dublin region.  It is a matter for the local authority to determine, on a case by case basis, whether, and to what extent, the application of the flexibility is warranted.

Additionally, households at risk of homelessness may be eligible for additional supports.  To qualify for specific additional supports available to homeless households, a household must have been determined by the relevant local authority to be homeless within the meaning of section 2 of the Housing Act 1988.  This is a targeted support for homeless households, who are finding it difficult to secure HAP tenancies, which provides all local authorities with the option to pay deposits and advance rental payments for any households in emergency homeless accommodation, or at risk of entering same, in order to secure accommodation through the HAP Scheme.  The operation of local homeless services, including the Place Finder Service, is a matter for each local authority.

The Programme for Government commits to ensuring that HAP levels are adequate to support vulnerable households, while we increase the supply of social housing. My Department continues to keep the operation of the HAP scheme under review. Under Housing for All, my Department will undertake an analytical exercise to examine whether an increase in the level of discretion available to Local Authorities under HAP is required, in order to maintain adequate levels of HAP support.

The Homeless HAP Place Finder service is an important aid for homeless households or households who are at risk of homelessness. The Place Finder service has proven effective, with HAP accounting for approximately 72% of the exits from homelessness recorded so far in 2021. 

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