Social housing applicants must prove they are resident in the State under new rules

New bill will say applicants must be lawfully resident and habitually resident in the State in order to receive supports

'The new habitual residency requirement will ensure all social housing applicants have a close link to the State and have made Ireland their home.'

Mon, 08 Jun, 2026 - 21:08

Paul Hosford

A new law will require social housing applicants to prove that they have been resident in the State.

Housing minister James Browne has confirmed his department will bring forward the Housing and Residential Tenancies (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026 to make amendments to the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 by adding lawful residency and habitual residency to eligibility criteria for social housing supports.