Plan to address housing income ‘anomaly’
A review of eligibility for social housing supports in each local authority area has been finalised, but plans to address recognised anomalies, including amending the existing income bands, must first receive government approval.
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien, told The Anglo-Celt last week that he plans to “bring a memo” to government on the subject in the coming weeks and, providing there is no major push back, hopes to begin rolling out the changes as early as next year.
On his visit to the county last Friday (May 20), the subject of income eligibility for social housing supports in Cavan was put to the minister, an issue consistently raised by his party colleague, Deputy Brendan Smith.
The 2011 regulations set out net income limits for each local authority in order for applicants to qualify for social housing. Income is defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy. To be eligible for social housing anywhere in Co Cavan, a single person must have income below €25,000 a year, or €30,000 for a three adult and four child family.
However, in some neighbouring counties such as Meath, limits are as much as €5,000 higher.
Cavan finds itself within the lowest income bracket, alongside Carlow, Clare, Donegal, Galway County, Laois, Leitrim, Longford, Mayo, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary, and Westmeath.
When put to him that anomalies exist, the minister admits “there is”.
The review, promised as part of the broader social housing reform agenda, has been “finalised” and the minister says he is “working through it”.
“In Ireland we have a system where we have three different income bands across the 31 local authorities, and there are anomalies within it. There are some counties where it is far too low. My intention is, subject to government approval, that’s the one caveat, to be able to bring a memo to government in the coming weeks where we can then roll out the changes starting next year. I do require government approval for that. The review is done now, and I’m assessing the options for what we can do within that.”
Minister O’Brien meanwhile took time to praise the efforts of Cavan County Council in working to address the housing shortage locally, saying they’re “doing a super job”.
“I mean that. I don’t go around saying that about every local authority. Some local authorities need supports to be able to do a super job. What’s been impressive here in Cavan Town, and Butlersbridge, is the different types of small in-fill sites being used, doing an excellent job. I’m more than confident that Cavan as a local authority have grabbed the challenge with two hands and run with it, and that any changes we make [with regard income bands] will positively impact.”
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