People applying for social housing in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown must complete the council’s application form, provide supporting documents and meet its eligibility criteria.
The council says it cannot predict how long applicants will wait for an offer.
Applying for social housing involves more than submitting a form. Applicants need to provide details about their household and income, select the areas where they would like to live and satisfy the local authority’s requirements.
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council assesses applications under its Housing Allocation Scheme. Applicants who are found eligible are placed on the housing waiting list, with allocations made in accordance with the council’s scheme.
The council’s guidance sets out the documents applicants must provide, the housing areas they can select and the consequences of refusing an offer.
Who can apply for social housing?
The council assesses applicants under its Housing Allocation Scheme. Its eligibility criteria include:
- Housing need
- The right to live in Ireland
- Age
- Income
The council’s current Allocation Scheme and application form should be consulted for the detailed requirements and how an applicant’s circumstances are assessed.
Social housing support can include council-owned rental accommodation, homes provided through the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS), leased properties and accommodation supplied by voluntary housing associations.
How to submit an application
Applicants must complete the social housing application form in full and include the required supporting documents.
The completed form and documents can be scanned and emailed to housingallocations@dlrcoco.ie or posted to:
Allocations Section
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council
County Hall, Marine Road
Dún Laoghaire, Co. Dublin
The council lists the following documents as required:
- Birth certificates for all household members
- PPS numbers for all household members
- Photo identification for all household members
- Income details for the previous 12 months for every household member aged over 18
Applicants should check the current form for any additional information or evidence required for their particular circumstances. Incomplete applications may need further information before they can be assessed.
Which housing areas can applicants choose?
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council says applicants may apply to one local authority only.
People applying through Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown can select up to three housing areas in the Dublin region. At least one must be within Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.
The other two choices may be in Dublin City, South Dublin County or Fingal County. The council says that if an applicant selects an area in another county, it will forward the information to that local authority and manage the application.
Applicants can change their areas of choice once in any 12-month period by completing an Area of Choice Form.
Choosing an area does not guarantee that a suitable home will become available there within a particular timeframe.
How long will applicants wait?
The council says it cannot determine how long an applicant will wait before being offered social housing, noting that there is a long list of people waiting for support.
The waiting period will depend on the applicant’s circumstances and the availability of suitable accommodation. The council’s published information does not provide a guaranteed waiting time.
Applicants should contact the council if their circumstances change or if they need to update information on their application.
Can applicants get help with rent while waiting?
Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a separate form of housing support for eligible households renting privately. Under HAP, the local authority pays the landlord, while the tenant pays a contribution to the council based on their household income.
Being on a social housing waiting list does not, by itself, mean a person automatically receives HAP. Applicants should check the current HAP eligibility and application requirements with the council.
What happens if an applicant refuses an offer?
The council’s published guidance describes suspension rules for refusing housing.
If an applicant refuses a property they have bid for through the council’s Choice Based Letting system, the guidance says they will be suspended from bidding for other properties for one year.
It also says that if an applicant refuses two offers of housing within a year, their application will be suspended for a year. The suspension period will not count towards their time on the waiting list.
These rules can affect an applicant’s housing application. Anyone considering refusing an offer should check the current Housing Allocation Scheme and contact the council for clarification before making a decision.
Contact Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council
The council lists the following contact details for Housing Allocations:
- Email: housingallocations@dlrcoco.ie
- Direct Allocations number: 01 205 4828
- Address: Housing Allocations, Level 1, County Hall, Marine Road, Dún Laoghaire
- Public counter: The council’s information lists opening hours of 10am to 4pm.
Housing Welfare Officer contact numbers are 01 204 7259 and 01 205 4792.
Further information is available on the council’s Housing Welfare Officer webpage. The Housing Agency also provides information about housing options available through local authorities.
Check the latest requirements before applying
Applicants should use Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council’s current application form and Housing Allocation Scheme to confirm the requirements that apply to them.
Submitting an application does not guarantee eligibility or an offer of housing. The council assesses each application, and the time spent waiting depends on the availability of suitable homes.
