Social housing income threshold for Westmeath increased by further €5,000

The social housing income eligibility threshold for people living in Westmeath has been increased by a further €5,000.

The new income threshold, which will take effect from January 1, will be €35,000. This is the second increase in the social housing income threshold for Westmeath in a matter of months. In September, the threshold increased from €25,000 to €30,000.

The latest increase has been welcomed by Minister of State with responsibility for Local Government and Planning Peter Burke TD.

“This increase will ensure that social housing support is available to vulnerable households in Westmeath. It will help protect those most at risk from the recent increase in the cost of living.

“This change builds on the increase introduced in Westmeath in September, the first in over a decade, and 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.”

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 threshold for Westmeath and four other local authorities (Carlow, Clare, Laois, Galway County). Clare and these four 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 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.