Urgent call to raise housing income limits

Fianna Fáil Councillor Áine Smith has issued a strong call for an urgent increase in social housing income limits in Cavan, highlighting the growing number of low-income families being priced out of the housing market and denied access to local authority support.

Cllr Smith said she regularly hears from “hard-working individuals and families” struggling to afford high private rents, yet do not qualify for social housing because their income is just above the current thresh olds.

“It’s totally unfair and must be changed,” she insisted, referencing the Government’s €5, 000 increase to the limits in January 2023 - the first such change since 2011.

While she welcomed the move, Cllr Smith stressed that no further increases have followed, despite the continued rise in the cost of living.

Cavan is classified as a Band 3 area for social housing eligibility, where the income limit currently stands at €30,000 for a single person, €31,500 for a couple without children, and €33,000 for a couple with two children.

“I know of many people who are just slightly over these limits and are refused access to the housing list,” said Cllr Smith. “These are people on genuinely low incomes who are in real housing need.”

She criticised the inclusion of the Working Family Payment (WFP) - a State support for low-income working families - in the assessment of income for housing eligibility. This practice, she argued, “pushes families above the threshold” unfairly.

“This goes against the purpose of supporting people who work,” she added. “These families can’t get a mortgage and can’t afford long-term private rent. That leaves them with no viable housing options.”

Cllr Smith called on the local authority to formally request that the Minister for Housing increase income limits in 2025, especially for Band 3 areas like Cavan. She also urged the Government to expedite its national review of the income limit system and to treat payments such as the WFP more fairly in eligibility assessments.

New thresholds Cllr Smith continued must reflect current living costs and housing expenses, arguing that an update would support those living just above the current limits, who are still struggling to secure affordable and secure housing.

Her motion received cross-party support.

Young families 'struggling'

Fine Gael’s Trevor Smith and Fianna Fáil’s Patricia Walsh both backed the call, with Cllr Walsh highlighting how young families are “struggling” to make ends meet, despite contributing to the State. “It’s no wonder some feel they’d be better off not working,” she said.

Cllr Clifford Kelly (FF) also supported the motion, pointing out the disparity between counties, noting that while Cavan’s threshold for a single person remains at €30,000, neighbouring Meath has a higher threshold of €40,000.

Squeezed middle

Independent Councillor Brendan Fay, meanwhile, noted that there is a “class of people in the middle” who earn too much to qualify for social housing but not enough to purchase a home or secure long-term rental accommodation.

Cathaoirleach John Paul Feeley also acknowledged the ongoing efforts to level the playing field for low-income families, but noted that “there are still people getting caught” by the current system.

He added that increasing the income thresholds would not only provide practical assistance but also contribute to a “better social mix” within communities.