O'Brien confirms €5k increase in social housing income eligibility thresholds

A €5,000 increase in social housing income eligibility thresholds has been announced. 

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien, today (November 29) announced the increase, which will take effect from January 1, 2023. 

Social housing income eligibility thresholds are the net income thresholds below which a person is entitled to social housing supports, such as social housing or the Housing Assistance Payment. 

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." 

The thresholds for five local authorities (Carlow, Clare, Laois, Westmeath, Galway County) were recently increased by the Minister from €25,000 to €30,000. 

These five counties are set to benefit from the latest increase as well. 

An estimated 16,000 additional households will be eligible for social housing supports as a result of today's announcement. 

The revised thresholds will be as follows: 

Band 1

Cork 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 2

Carlow, 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 3

Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Longford, Mayo, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, Tipperary.

Current Baseline Threshold: €25,000

Revised Baseline Threshold: €30,000