Housing
Frequently Asked Questions
Social Housing Support
Have there been any recent changes in legislation that I should know about?
What will this mean for me as an existing Social Housing Support applicant?
What is the role of the Council following the changes in legislation?
Will the re-assessment affect my position on the housing list?
Could I be removed from the list?
If I am eligible to receive social housing support, which areas can I choose?
What happens if I refuse an offer of accommodation?
1.Have there been any recent changes in legislation that I should know about?
Yes, recent Government legislation requires us to make some changes to the eligibility criteria for housing support and housing assessment.
The main changes are as follows:
- A new allocations scheme replaces the Scheme of Letting Priorities. This is available on our website. Housing Allocations Scheme 2011
pdf 123kb - To be eligible for Social Housing Support in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council area you must either live in the County Council area or have a connection to the area.
- You may apply to one Local Authority only. Please see point 6 below in relation to your choice of areas.
- You must have a legal right to remain in the State on a long term basis.
- You must not own alternative accommodation which could be occupied or sold and the proceeds used to secure other suitable accommodation.
- Your net income must be below the thresholds below;
| Single Adult | Two Adults No Children | One Adult One Child | One Adult Two Children | One Adult Three Children | Two Adults One Child | Two Adults Two Children | Two Adults Four or more Children | Three Adults Four or more Children |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| €35,000 | €36,750 | €35,875 | €36,750 | €37,625 | €37,625 | €38,500 | €40,250 | €42,000 |
3.What will this mean for me as an existing Social Housing Support applicant?
Under the new regulations, you must be eligible and have a need for housing to be considered for an offer of social housing support.
Social housing support means that you may be eligible for housing in Council owned properties, RAS (Rental Accommodation Scheme) properties, Long Term Leasing properties, Voluntary Housing Association properties etc.
4.What is the role of the council following the changes in legislation?
The Council are now obliged to begin the process of reassessing all applicants for Social Housing. The process of reassessment may take some time.
5.Will the re-assessment affect my position on the housing list?
The position of people on the list may change following re-assessment. The eligibility of some people for housing support may also change. While the attached letter details your current position on the Social Housing Support Waiting List, you should note that a full reassessment of your eligibility and need under the new regulations has yet to take place.
6.Could I be removed from the list?
You will only be removed from the Social Housing Support list if you are not eligible under the new regulations, or if it is established that you do not have a housing need.
7.If I am eligible to receive social housing support, which areas can I choose?
You may identify up to three housing areas – however, one must be in the Dún Laoghaire Rathdown area. Your other two choices could be in the other Dublin Local Authority areas i.e. Dublin City Council, South Dublin County Council and/or Fingal County Council.
If you so decide, your three choices may all lie within the Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council area.
You may change your choice of housing area once in any twelve month period.
8. What happens if I refuse an offer of accommodation?
If you refuse two offers of accommodation in a twelve month period, your position on the Social Housing Support List will be suspended for a period of twelve months. This period will not count for ‘time waiting’ purposes.