Review of Income Eligibility for Social Housing Support

In line with commitments in Housing for All (Policy Objective 5.4), a review of income eligibility thresholds for social housing was completed by The Housing Agency on behalf of Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in November 2021.

The review, which examined the efficiency of the current banding model and income limits applicable to local authorities, has been completed and is available below. Minister O’Brien has recently approved implementation of the reviews recommendations which includes the commissioning of work to scope and develop options for a revised or new social housing income eligibility model. This work will commence shortly under the aegis of the Housing Agency who have been tasked with commissioning it. It is expected that the work will be complete by the end of 2022.

Pending completion of this work later this year, the Minister also approved changes to the social housing income eligibility bands. Five local authorities - Carlow, Clare, Galway County, Laois and Westmeath - will be moved from Band 3 to Band 2. Accordingly, the baseline income eligibility threshold for these areas will increase from €25,000 to €30,000. The change reflects the movement in rents in recent years in these areas and will ensure local authority areas with similar accommodation costs continue to be grouped together in the respective bands. The changes will come into effect from 1 October 2022.