Louth TD seeks clarity on social housing needs for adult children living at home

The question of whether adult children living at home should be deemed "adequately housed" and therefore not included on social housing waiting lists was debated in Leinster House last week after Louth TD, Ruairí Ó Murchú, raised the issue.

During questions to the Minister of State Malcolm Noonan, the Sinn Féin TD asked if the Green Party TD would "consider local authorities' definition of ‘adequately housed', where grown adults are living in their parents' home, are deemed to be adequately housed and not included on the social housing list?"

Deputy Ó Murchú said: "They meet the other criteria like income thresholds. In some cases they are forced into seeking private rentals, which reduces supply, and we all know the issues that exist in relation to supply, especially with the removal of the eviction ban.

"There are a huge number of people who find that, if they are living in their parents' home, they will be told they are adequately housed. If someone is in a situation of technical overcrowding, he or she will be eligible to get on the housing list. This is something that needs to be looked at because the problem is people are being forced into the private rental sector so they at least feel they are clocking time on the housing list. 

"Everyone is aware they will be waiting for six, seven or eight years. This needs to be looked at at departmental level and then a directive and a discussion needs to happen with local authorities, including Louth County Council, about this."

In response, Minister Noonan said: "Adult children living with their parents can apply for and be deemed to qualify for social housing support, subject to meeting the eligibility and need criteria. Once qualified, such applicants are automatically placed on the relevant local authority waiting list. They do not need to move into the private rented sector to be placed on the list, so it is important to clarify that. 

"Such decisions are matters entirely for local authorities themselves in accordance with their respective statutory allocation schemes and their day-to-day management of the social housing system. 

"The fact is adult children can be and are deemed to qualify for social housing support in the Deputy's county, County Louth. Some 355 households or 27% of those on the housing waiting list are adult children living with parents. It is the priority for that local authority, like it is for other local authorities, to assess housing based on the absolute and most urgent need for housing."

Deputy Ó Murchú responded: "I request that some clarity and a directive be given out on this basis because we have a particular problem and it is reducing supply. We know the issues that exist and that they will get worse. We are already dealing with people who are in fear of evictions. 

"We have had the removal of the eviction ban and I cannot imagine how I, my office and some of our councillors will deal with this."

The Louth TD asked about the scheme of councils buying properties that are long term rented to those on the housing list, with Minister Noonan responding that the issue is "certainly not coming from a want in our department".