Government approves increase in social housing income eligibility thresholds

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien, has informed Government of an increase of €5,000 to all social housing income eligibility thresholds. The increase will take effect from 1 January 2023.
This significant change is being taken pending the development and roll-out of a revised income eligibility model (and income thresholds) in 2023. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage is currently working on this revised model.
Commenting on the increase, Minister O’Brien said:
“These increases will ensure that social housing support is available to vulnerable households. It will help protect those most at risk from the recent increase in the cost of living.
“These changes, the first in over a decade, build on the increases introduced in September, and builds on the recommendations of the review into social housing income eligibility limits. My department and I are now working hard to produce a new income eligibility model, which will be completed in 2023.”
In line with The Housing Agency’s recent review of social housing income eligibility limits, commissioned by Minister O’Brien, the Minister recently increased the thresholds for five local authorities (Carlow, Clare, Laois, Westmeath, Galway County). These five counties will also benefit from the latest increase.
The social housing income eligibility review fulfilled a commitment in Housing for All, the government’s housing plan. The plan contains a range of actions and measures to ensure over 300,000 new social, affordable, cost rental and private homes are built by 2030, backed by over €4 billion in annual guaranteed State investment to the end of 2026. To the end of September 2022, over 55,000 homes were either completed (27,773) or commenced (27,417). The plan’s overall target for housing supply in 2022 is 24,600.
NotesAn estimated 16,000 additional households will be eligibile for social housing supports as a result of the change.
Social housing income eligibility thresholds are the net income thresholds below which a person is entitled to social housing supports (i.e. social housing or the Housing Assistance Payment).
In line the social housing income eligibility review completed by The Housing Agency in Quarter 4 2022, Minister O’Brien increased the thresholds for five local authorities (Carlow, Clare, Laois, Westmeath, Galway County) in September 2022. The baseline income threshold for these areas increased from €25,000 to €30,000 on 1 October 2022.
In addition, from 1 January 2023, an increase of €5,000 will apply to all social housing income eligibility thresholds.
Action 5.4 of Housing for All committed to a review of income eligibility for social housing.
Scoping and developing options for an alternative social housing income eligibility model is a key recommendation of the Housing Agency’s review of income eligibility for social housing. Implementation of the new model will take place in 2023.
The revised thresholds will be as follows.
Band 1Cork City, Dublin City, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, Fingal, Galway City, Meath, South Dublin, Kildare, Wicklow.
Current Baseline Threshold: €35,000
Revised Baseline Threshold: €40,000
Band 2Carlow, Clare, Cork County, Galway County, Kerry, Kilkenny, Laois, Limerick City & County, Louth, Waterford City & County, Westmeath, Wexford.
Current Baseline Threshold: €30,000
Revised Baseline Threshold: €35,000
Band 3Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Longford, Mayo, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary.
Current Baseline Threshold: €25,000
Revised Baseline Threshold: €30,000