Local Housing Authority Schemes

Local housing authority schemes in Ireland play a crucial role in addressing housing needs. They offer various programs to assist individuals and families in securing affordable housing.

Housing Assistance Payment (HAP)

Overview

A social housing support provided by local authorities to meet the housing needs of people who have difficulty affording private rented accommodation.

Key Features

• Eligibility: Those on a local authority's housing list.
• Operation: The local authority makes regular payments to landlords on behalf of the tenants.
• Advantages: Enables individuals to find their own private rented housing.

Example

• A family on the local housing list receiving HAP to cover part of their private rent.

Mortgage Allowance Scheme

Overview

Aims to assist tenants or tenant purchasers from local authority housing to buy or build a private house.

Key Features

• Eligibility: Existing local authority tenants, or those in receipt of social housing supports.
• Benefit: Provides an allowance over five years to help with mortgage repayments.

Example

• A local authority tenant purchasing a private home and receiving an annual allowance to offset mortgage costs.

Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan Scheme

Overview

A government initiative to provide affordable mortgages to first-time buyers.

Key Features

• Eligibility: First-time buyers who have been refused a mortgage or were offered insufficient finance.
• Loan Features: Fixed-rate mortgage over 25-30 years.
• Advantages: Lower interest rates and government backing.

Example

• A first-time buyer obtaining a low-interest loan to purchase their first home.

Tenant (Incremental) Purchase Scheme

Overview

Allows local authority tenants to buy their homes with a discount based on their years of tenancy.

Key Features

• Eligibility: Tenants of local authority houses.
• Discount: Based on the length of tenancy, up to a maximum percentage.
• Repayment: The tenant pays the balance of the house price, minus the discount.

Example

• A long-term local authority tenant purchasing their rented house at a reduced price.