9.9% decrease in the number of households on social housing waiting list nationally

32.4% reduction compared to the assessment conducted in September 2016

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien, TD, has today (9 March 2021) published the 2020 Summary of Social Housing Assessments (SSHA) which shows a decrease in the total number of households on the social housing waiting list.

The results show that 61,880 households were assessed as being qualified for, and in need of, social housing support as of 2 November 2020, down from 68,693 households on 24 June 2019.  This represents a decrease of 6,813, or 9.9%. It also represents a total decrease of 29,720 or 32.4% since 2016.

The Minister welcomed the results, noting that for a fourth consecutive year the overall number of households on local authority waiting lists continued to decrease. Commenting on the figures Minister O’Brien said, “These results are evidence that Government investment in the suite of social housing support initiatives is working. Just under 25,000 households had their housing needs met last year and Budget 2021 has made available €3.3 billion for housing delivery programmes. This investment will deliver 12,750 new social homes, the largest social housing delivery programme in the history of the state. The numbers we see published today are evidence of the real and positive impact this delivery is having on the people who need our help the most.” 

The 2020 SSHA figures build on the momentum gained in 2019, when the list fell by 3,165, which represented a reduction of 4.4%. Minister O’Brien welcomed the decrease but acknowledged that “whilst this is positive news we must not, and will not, lose sight of the fact that there are still nearly 62,000 households who are relying on us for the provision of housing support. The Programme for Government has committed to delivering more than 50,000 new social homes over the coming five years. In addition, we will also deliver additional affordable homes through our new affordable homes initiatives, whilst continuing to support households to meet their housing need through the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) and Rental Accommodation Scheme. This level of investment and commitment to delivery will ensure we are in a position to meet our ambitious targets and provide homes for those who need them.”

Minister O’Brien concluded that “the annual SSHA process plays a vital role in helping local authorities to properly target the delivery of social housing supports through build, acquisition, leasing, HAP and RAS in their area. When combined with the significant Exchequer funding it ensures that the housing needs of our citizens can and will be met in an appropriate and timely way.”