A Clare TD is calling for affordable and social housing thresholds to be revised to prevent against further “disappeared” middle income families.
It comes as figures suggest a household in this county earning the median net household income wouldn’t qualify for either support, or the First Time Buyers grant.
According to Census 2022 figures, the median net household income in Clare is €47,518 and under Central Bank rules, the highest amount that can be borrowed with this wage is just over €190,000.
An analysis of property website Daft.ie shows there are 200 properties listed today that could be bought at that price, and of those, only three have a B BER and none have an A rating, which suggests the vast majority require some degree of investment.
A household in Clare earning the median net income wouldn’t qualify for Social Housing, as it’s annual income exceeds the €35,000 threshold.
It might not qualify for Affordable Housing either, which is currently being pitched at earners in the €50,000 to €70,000 annual income bracket.
The First Time Buyers Grant also appears to be out of reach for the average household here, as it only applies to new builds, of which there are seven on the market in Clare today, priced between €295,000 and €435,000.
Clare’s Sinn Féin TD Donna McGettigan says too many working households in this county are being left with no options on account of rising rents and landlords selling up.
She insists the gap between social an affordable housing must be closed to reduce the number of “disappeared” middle income households.
Clare’s Minister of State argues that as incomes rise, it’s only a matter of time until social and affordable housing thresholds are revised, while he’s assuring the grant for vacant and derelict properties is aimed at bridging the gap for lower earners.
Minister Timmy Dooley says, however, the singular focus of this Government must be on building houses.
The Tulla-based Minister of State believes the more houses that are built, the greater the chance that house prices and the monthly cost of rent will come down.
You can listen to the full interview here:
