Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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270. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when an increase in the social housing income thresholds in County Tipperary will be increased; the reason that the thresholds were not increased in Tipperary in the last review; the percentage of a household's income that is deemed a reasonable percentage to be paid on rent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56319/22]

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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271. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if an exception will be made to take into account the pressures that a person (details supplied) was under from the healthcare sector to work the additional shifts to cover leave and which has now resulted in homelessness; if he will consider this case and the urgent need to increase the income thresholds in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56320/22]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 270 and 271 together.

I am currently considering potential changes to the social housing income eligibility model.

In the meantime, I have approved proposals to scope and develop options for a new income eligibility model. This work will commence shortly under the aegis of the Housing Agency which has been tasked with commissioning it and I expect the work will complete in the next few months.

I have also approved changes to the social housing income eligibility bands. Five local authorities - Carlow, Clare, Galway County, Laois and Westmeath - have moved from Band 3 to Band 2. Accordingly, the baseline income threshold for these areas has increased from €25,000 to €30,000. The change reflected the movement in rents in recent years in these areas and ensures local authority areas with similar accommodation costs continue to be grouped together in the respective bands. The changes came into effect from 1 October 2022.

Household income is assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy. The Policy provides for a range of income disregards, and local authorities have scope to disregard once-off, temporary or short-term income and which is outside the regular pattern of a person’s annual income.

Rent Supplement may be available for persons in the private rented sector who have experienced recent changes in household circumstances and require short-term rent support.

Measures of housing cost affordability typically range from 30% to 40% of total disposable household income.