Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 June 2024
405. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider increasing the income threshold for HAP or introducing additional supports for people who are struggling to pay rent but whose income is above the threshold for HAP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25126/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraHousing for All includes a commitment to review income eligibility for social housing.
From this review, completed in November 2021, it was recommended moving five local authorities from Band 3 to Band 2, ensuring the income eligibility thresholds better reflect housing costs in those counties. Government also agreed to increase the baseline income thresholds by €5,000 for all local authorities with effect from 1 January 2023. The thresholds thus increased to €40,000, €35,000 and €30,000 for bands 1, 2 and 3 respectively.
The review further recommended the commissioning of research to develop options for a revised or new social housing income eligibility model. My Department recently received this detailed research, commissioned by the Housing Agency. The scope of the research included examining the existing income limits in the context of current market and population conditions and the suitability or otherwise of the current framework having regard to the significantly changed landscape since the standardised income limits were introduced.
My Department will now undertake a detailed examination of the report, in order to develop a new social housing income eligibility model by Q4 2024 in line with the Housing for All Action Plan update. This detailed examination will include consultation with stakeholders and will look at, inter alia, how the social housing income limits system interacts with other housing supports and ensure that they continue to target households correctly.
In relation to supports outside the social housing system, launched as part of the Affordable Housing Act in 2021, Cost Rental housing is designed to assist middle-income households who do not qualify for social housing but who are facing affordability pressures in the private rental market. Cost Rental is a major step forward in providing much-needed affordable rental options to households with incomes above the limits set for social housing. The current eligibility limits for Cost Rental, checked at the point of applying for a tenancy, are net household incomes of no more than €66,000 in Dublin and €59,000 elsewhere.
The Housing for All strategy targets the delivery of 18,000 new Cost Rental homes by 2030. A strong pipeline is in place and under continuous development by Local Authorities, Approved Housing Bodies, and the Land Development Agency.
