Social housing income limits are 'ridiculous' - Mayo council meeting told

THE income threshold for social housing has not been reviewed for 10 years.

Currently, a couple who both receive the minimum wage will not qualify for social housing. The low threshold, and the lack of affordable housing units, has again been raised at a meeting of Mayo County Council.

The income thresholds for social housing - €25,000 for a single person or €27,500 for a couple with two children - were branded 'ridiculous' by Westport Councillor Christy Hyland at the authority's monthly meeting who said the band needed to be raised to €40,000.

And he pointed out that the income limits had not been reviewed since 2011.

On affordable housing, and the inability of people to buy their own homes, the councillor highlighted the plight of a couple, with household income of €50,000, who were paying €800 in rent each month but could only get a mortgage for €120,000, which would buy them 'nothing'.

Councillor Damien Ryan agreed the lack of affordable housing is a big issue, which has to be pursued at national level.

Councillor Michael Kilcoyne suggested the council should look at acquiring land and selling sites for people to build their own affordable homes on.

On social housing, the reality is that two people living together who are both on a national minimum wage cannot get a social house, he said.

The issue of abandoned former council houses that are lying vacant was raised by Councillor Jarlath Munnelly, who said he'd love to see some action on these.