Housing eligibility and mortgage caps
The Healy-Raes argue that income thresholds exclude many Kerry households from housing lists and supports, and call for higher caps and tenant purchase changes. The Minister says the eligibility criteria are being reviewed by the Housing Agency and points to the Rebuilding Ireland home loan for mortgage affordability.
I thank the Minister. Ten further Deputies are offering and there are just over four minutes left. I call Deputy Danny Healy-Rae.
Comment on this
I wish to raise an important issue whereby couples who earn more than €31,500 are not allowed onto the housing waiting list in Kerry. The maximum net income for any family in this regard is €35,000, beyond which they are out of eligibility for housing supports of any kind such as housing assistance payment, HAP, or rent allowance. At €35,000, or even at €37,000 or €38,000, a person or family does not qualify for a loan for a mortgage. People who earn even as much as €50,000 will not qualify for a loan. I ask the Minister to increase the caps and allow people onto the housing list. It will not cost anything.
Comment on this
This is a serious problem and it is continuing to worsen because of the scarcity of housing. The Minister has to allow more people to qualify and he has to look at the whole situation around the purchase of local authority houses, which we have asked the Minister to do under the tenant purchase scheme.
Comment on this
The Minister has to look at these problems; they are simple issues that can be dealt with in a practical and workmanlike way, if he gets at it.
Comment on this
I thank the Deputies for the questions. The eligibility criteria are currently being reviewed by the Housing Agency. When I have that review, I will be able to publish it and examine the recommendations then. With regard to the affordability of mortgages, the Rebuilding Ireland home loan is there. If Deputies are having any difficulties with that, they should bring them to my attention directly.