Senator Aisling Dolan - Strong Voice, New Vision.
The income threshold and means test has been increased by €5,000 in County Roscommon. People and households in need with income up to €30,000 can apply from 1st January 2023 for support to become eligible for the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) in private rental accommodation or to apply for a Local Authority Home.
This will be a huge benefit to people who are working and earning an income up to €30,000 and are now eligible for State support for housing. I know of young mothers and fathers working flexible hours in all types of sectors including catering, retail, healthcare to support their families and struggling with the rising cost of living all over County Roscommon.
There is huge demand and government has committed over €4 billion allocated for Housing for All with affordable, cost rental and social housing. I want to thank my colleague Minister Peter Burke within the Department of Housing for the work on this.
The government has taken this action to increase housing thresholds for Local Authority homes. A lot more families will be eligible for support, it is estimated 16,000 households across the country could become eligible for Local Authority Housing / Housing Assistance Payment with rent costs.
It adds to supports such as the €500 Rent Tax Credit which is available to each person in a house who is paying rent as well as for parents paying rent for their son or daughter at college for 2022 and again in 2023. People will be able to claim through Revenue from 2023.
Minister of State, Peter Burke TD, with responsibility for Local Government and Planning stated
“This increase will ensure that social housing support is available to vulnerable households in Roscommon. It will help protect those most at risk from the recent increase in the cost of living.”
“This increase builds on the recommendations of the review into social housing income eligibility limits. My department are now working hard to produce a new income eligibility model, which will be completed in 2023.”
