Who can get general housing allowance?
The general housing allowance will decrease in 2024
Parliament has approved cuts to the general housing allowance, which will reduce the rates of the allowance in 2024. Most of the changes will come into effect on 1 April 2024. If you already receive general housing allowance, these cuts will affect your allowance when your allowance is reviewed on 1 April 2024 or later. General housing allowance will no longer be available for owner-occupied homes as of 1 January 2025.
Read more about the changes to the general housing allowance.
If you have a small income, you can be granted general housing allowance from Kela. The purpose of the general housing allowance is to help you with your housing costs. The allowance is available for
- rental homes
- owner-occupied homes, until 31 December 2024
- right-of-occupancy homes
- part-ownership homes
Students can get housing allowance under the same conditions as everyone else.
Pensioners with a low income can usually get a housing allowance for pensioners.
What is a household?
Housing allowance can be paid to households consisting of a single person or several persons. A household usually comprises the permanent occupants of a dwelling.
The housing allowance is granted to the household collectively. The amount of the allowance is affected by the incomes of all household members. You can only be the member of one household at a time.
The application is made by one household member on behalf of all residents. Persons who are part of different households can apply for housing allowance separately.
The following persons are always considered to be part of the same household:
- married spouses and cohabiting partners
- close relatives (meaning children, parents and grandparents) living in the same home
- persons who have rented a home under a joint rental agreement.