Outdated income thresholds ‘push low-to-middle-income families off Sligo housing list’, warns Councillor Declan Bree

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

Hitting out at the eligibility criteria for social housing at the September meeting of Sligo County Council, Cllr Declan Bree said there needs to be a fair, future-proof mechanism put in place which will index link income thresholds annually against inflation and the average cost of living.

Cllr Bree asked for the Council to call on the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to urgently review and increase the baseline income eligibility thresholds for social housing applicants.

He also wants thresholds be indexed annually against inflation and the average cost of living, ensuring that low-to-middle-income workers and families are not unfairly excluded from state housing support due to modest inflationary wage increases.

Highlighting the obstacles faced by many with regard being deemed eligible for social housing, Cllr Bree remarked, “The current baseline income eligibility thresholds for social housing no longer reflect the harsh economic reality facing our communities.”

Hitting out at the system in place, Cllr Bree noted, “The income eligibility thresholds for social housing were last revised in 2023.

Cllr Bree insisted the eligibility threshold is too low for a single person and even more difficult for a couple with a child to meet.

“The income limit for a single person in Sligo is €30,000. The income limit for a couple and one child is €32,250. The income limits apply when an individual or family applies for social housing, for all those who are on the housing waiting list, in emergency accommodation or living with family and friends, every year through an annual review,” he said.

Outlining the societal changes with regard cost of living since thresholds were last reviewed, Cllr Bree said that since 2023 wages and social welfare payments have increased, as has the cost of living.

However, there had been no change to the Council housing income eligibility threshold. The result is that some people are being removed from council waiting lists while others cannot have their name included on the list.

“Today we are witnessing a systemic failure where the very safety net designed to protect vulnerable individuals and families is leaving them stranded in a difficult private rental market,” he said.

Cllr Bree insisted that any wage increases accrued in recent years have not made workers financially better-off, rather they have helped match the increases in the cost of living.

“When low-to-middle-income workers receive modest, cost-of-living wage increases, they are not actually getting richer, they are simply trying to keep their heads above water.

“Yet, under the current system, a small pay raise of just a few euros can push a hard-working family off the housing list and entirely out of structural state support.

“It is a cruel paradox that gaining a small increase in wages can disqualify a household from inclusion on the Council’s housing waiting list.”

Cllr Bree expressed the opinion that the issue regarding threshold eligibility needs to be addressed to create a fairer system for those who need it most.

“In this context a one-time adjustment is not enough. We need to see a fair, future-proof mechanism put in place which will index link income thresholds annually against inflation and the average cost of living.”

Cllr Bree concluded by insisting that threshold rules that have not been updated in three years should not be a deterrent to those who are attempting to seek a place on a waiting list or obtain access to social housing support.

“People in need of Council and social housing should not be denied access to waiting lists or social housing support because of outdated and badly designed eligibility rules and thresholds.

“We must ensure that state housing support remains an accessible, compassionate shield for those who need it most.”

Offering his support for the motion, Cllr Gino O’Boyle said, “It should be indexed to inflation.”

Cllr Thomas Healy also voiced his support saying, “We have people living in limbo. We need to be looking after these people better.”

Voicing her support for the motion, Cllr Ann Higgins commented, “It’s an absolutely ridiculous situation where the threshold for a single person is €31,000 and €31,000 for a couple. They earn too much for social housing but too little to get a mortgage; where do they go.”

Highlighting the difficulties faced by many with regards renting locally, Cllr Higgins told the meeting, “There were only 21 properties listed for rent in Sligo yesterday.”

Cllr Donal Gilroy also offered his backing for the motion saying, “I support the motion. The problem is more people will go on the list. It’s not going to be a simple matter to sort.”

Article is funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.