Social Housing Classification For Offaly Questioned

Sinn Féin Councillor Aoife Masterson says Offaly is at a lower income limit for applicants than neighbouring counties.

Social housing rules across the Midlands are being questioned.

Sinn Féin Councillor Aoife Masterson says Offaly’s housing classification is "artificial" and could make it harder for some people to qualify for social housing.

Offaly is in Band 3, which has a lower income limit for social housing applicants than other bands.

The baseline net household income limit for Band 3 is €30,000.

Cllr Masterson says this could leave people who are struggling to afford housing unable to qualify for support.

She has questioned why Offaly falls into a lower band than neighbouring counties, arguing that housing market conditions and the pressures facing people are not significantly different.

However, Laois is in Band 2, while Kildare is in Band 1, compared with Offaly’s Band 3 classification.

Cllr Masterson believes the current system does not reflect the reality of the housing situation in Offaly.

Her comments come amid ongoing concerns about housing affordability and access to social housing across the Midlands.

The issue raises questions about how income limits are set and whether the current classification system adequately reflects the housing pressures facing people in different counties.

Cllr Masterson says housing is the number one issue that brings Offaly residents every day, looking for help: