Applying for social housing support
Social Housing refers to accommodation provided by a local authority or Approved Housing Body (AHB) for those who cannot afford it on their own. This includes support for low-income earners, the elderly, people with disabilities, homeless individuals, and those leaving care without family support.
Ways housing support is provided
- Rented tenancies in properties owned by Laois County Council.
- Securing social housing properties from the private sector through schemes like Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) or Long-Term Leasing (LTL).
- Providing Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) to assist with rent payments.
- Nominations to housing provided by AHB’s, similar to the Council's housing.
- Specific accommodation for homeless people, older adults, and Travellers.
Qualifying criteria
- Need: Must genuinely need housing and cannot afford it on your own.
- Right: Must have a legal right to stay in Ireland long-term.
- Age: Must be 18 or older.
- Income: Your net income must be below certain thresholds, based on household size.
From 1st January 2023, the income limits for qualifying for social housing in County Laois are:
Applicant Limit Single Adult €35,000 2 Adults €36,750 1 Adult + 1 Child €35,875 1 Adult + 2 Children €36,750 2 Adults + 1 Child €37,625
There is an additional 5% allowance for each extra adult (up to 10%) and 2.5% for each extra child.
- Local Connection: Generally, you must live in or have a connection to Laois.
How do I apply?
- You can only apply for housing support from one local authority.
- Submit the Application Form for Social Housing Support at your local authority office or by post.
- Ensure your application is fully completed with all supporting documents.
- A HMD Form 1 – Disability and/or Medical Information Form must be completed for those applying due to disability or medical reasons.
Incomplete applications may cause delays or be returned.
What happens next?
- Once you submit a valid application, it goes through processing and assessment, which can take up to 12 weeks.
- You will receive a written decision confirming whether your application for social housing support is approved or refused.
- If you meet the criteria, you will be placed on the Council’s housing waiting list. Homes become available over time and are allocated from this list according to the Council's Housing Allocation Scheme and considering all relevant circumstances. It is important to notify the local authority of any changes in address, household income, or contact details.
- If you do not meet the criteria for social housing support, the Council will let you know and explain the reasons for their decision.