Applying to your local authority for social housing support

Local authorities provide social housing support for people who cannot afford to buy their own homes.

How to qualify

Completed applications for social housing support are assessed by your local authority in accordance with the current criteria based on the following:

Your assessment will also take account of the size of your household, the type and condition of your current accommodation and any special circumstances such as disability, age and medical circumstances.

If you are a Non-Irish national seeking support you must also meet the provisions of Circular 41/2012.

If you are qualified you will be placed on the authority’s housing waiting list or the record of qualified households.

Each local authority draws up its own rules for deciding the order of priority on the waiting list (an “Allocation Scheme”).

You can get a copy of this scheme from your local authority.

You may refuse a reasonable offer of accommodation in any 12-month period without affecting your place on the waiting list.

If you refuse two reasonable offers in a 12-month period, you will however, be suspended on the waiting list for 12 months, during which time you will not accumulate any time on the list.

How to apply

To apply for social housing support, including support from an approved housing body, you should contact your relevant local authority who can provide you with an application form for completion.