Housing income thresholds increase confirmed to government

The eligibility thresholds for social housing income will increase by €5,000 from the start of next year, it has been confirmed. 

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, has informed Government of an increase to all social housing income eligibility thresholds.

The increase will take effect from 01 January 2023. 

Counties which saw their eligibility thresholds increase earlier this year will see another €5,000 added on to that threshold limit. 

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 Government says 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.