Include Irish homeless in €800 tax free Ukrainian rent suggests Laois councillor

A new €800 tax free rent payment to any owner of a vacant home housing Ukrainian refugees should be widened to all Irish people too, to tackle homelessness, a Laois councillor has suggested.

Laois County Council is inviting owners of vacant houses or apartments in Laois to contact them if they are interested in giving a temporary home to Ukraine families staying here during the Russian invasion of their country.

A new Government scheme called Offer A Home will give a flat rate of €800 per month, tax free to any homeowner taking part. 

Cllr Aisling Moran wants it extended to Irish people needing emergency homes.

"There are people with kids who can't get accommodation for college. Can this be made tax free fro all Irish people as well? It would take people off the homeless list," she suggests.

She put her idea to Acting Director of Services Carmel McNichol, who outlined the new scheme to councillors, at the November meeting.

Ms McNichol said that this would be a policy issue for Government.

"These are aimed at properties that are not otherwise available for the rental market, where the homeowner is not otherwise intending to rent them, to consider them instead in the short term for Ukrainian refugees," she said.

It was suggested that Cllr Moran table a motion with her suggestion at a future meeting. 

The €800 monthly payment is not a rent, Ms McNichol said.

"This isn't a landlord tenant relationship, it is a licenced agreement that protects both parties," she said.

"It is a matched process. First a property is identified, then we assess it to see if it is safe and suitable. The next step is to find a Ukrainian family in Laois that suits the property," she said.

Outside of the scheme for vacant properties, she said that the Irish Red Cross is still taking pledges of spare rooms in people's occupied houses.

Laois County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr Thomasina Connell praised the scheme.

"It is really good, €800 tax free with no need to register with the Private Rental Tenancies board, I am keen to get the word out to everybody. There are less holiday homes in Laois but I do think it is an excellent scheme," she said.

Cllr Ben Brennan asked if the €800 payment is expected to cover heating and electricity as well, but the council said no.

"It's a rent free payment. Should a Ukrainian family be placed, the utility bills would be in their name as the people living in the house," she said.

The tax-free recognition payment of €800 per month is available from December 1, paid by the Department of Social Protection. More than 60,000 people have arrived to Ireland from Ukraine seeking safety and the vast majority need accommodation.
Property owners can offer homes at offerahome.ie or by contacting Laois County Council, with a response promised within five days. 
Anybody who offers a property will be able to check the status of their offer at any stage through the website offerahome.ie.
The council states that the call is only for stand-alone properties that are not occupied by others. Properties should be in
liveable condition and, ideally, available for at least 6 months.

Carmel McNicholl has appealed to the people of Laois to offer unused properties.

“Irish people have shown incredible support for the people of Ukraine. We know that people are very anxious to help where they can so we’re appealing to anybody who has a house, apartment, or holiday home that they’re not using at the moment to consider offering it to those who need shelter and safety from war.

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“We understand that it can be daunting to offer a property to someone you don’t know. That is why local authorities will work with you throughout the process and be there to offer support while your property is being used. If you have a property that is otherwise going to be empty this winter, please consider offering it for those who badly need a safe home for a while,” she said.
To offer a property or for more information, visit offerahome.ie.