The Housing Dimension of Welfare Reform - the ICCR

provide rent assistance to the poorest household. Renovation subsidies
are also available.
Since 1971 access criteria have become less rigid to include more groups
in need, for instance, immigrants and young people, and are no longer
restricted to mainly low income families. Eligibility is subject to income
ceilings which are regionally defined within pre-given limits according to
national legislation. In determining priorities, criteria such as family size,
housing conditions, or having been evicted are taken into consideration.
The regions may furthermore define and prioritise ‘special categories’.
Recurrent are the elderly, young couples, emigrants returning to Italy, or
large families.
Traditionally, social housing tenants had the option to purchase their
units based on a redemption formula. Recently, massive sale programmes
have given tenants the right of first refusal. Family members may enter
leases upon death of the head of household or, in case of legal separation,
if evidence of kinship and minimum periods of residence is provided.
The extent of tenant participation in management differs across regions.
Self-administration includes minor maintenance responsibilities for
common areas.
Belgium displays a similarly small social housing sector. Of the rentals
available (a third of the housing stock) less than a fifth are social rentals
(five per cent of the total housing stock; eight per cent of the housing
stock in the Brussels region). Rent amounts are adjusted to income and,
together with the more general social protection benefits, are expected to
meet social needs without specific housing benefits such as rent
subsidies. Despite the seemingly high proportion of GDP spent on
housing the redistribution effect remains insignificant as tax rebates and
subsidised loans form the major instruments. Such instruments are often
not accessible to vulnerable low income groups.
The social sector in Ireland is understood as aid to those unable to
provide for housing themselves. Social housing in Ireland is increasingly
identical with low socio-economic status and long-term poverty,
particularly in urban areas. Social housing provision has declined from
more than 10 per cent in 1996 to 7 per cent in 1999. This contrasts with
increased demand: due to rising housing prices social housing needs
increased by 43 per cent over the three-year period from 1996 to 1999;
29 per cent of those in need were private tenants.
Social housing is financed by the federal budget. Non-statutory social
housing providers receive funds via two schemes. One is based on capital
loans and rent subsidies, the other on capital assistance for non-profit
housing associations and voluntary organisations. Typically, private
EUROHOME-IMPACT FINAL REPORT 27