Those who turn down social housing offers set to be penalised

Families who turn down two offers of social housing won’t get another one for 5 years under stricter government plans.
At the moment, anyone who rejects two offers is suspended from the waiting list for a year.
Ministers have now been advised that the current rules aren’t enough of a deterrent to turning down social housing.
The Irish Times reports that the main reasons for people rejecting offers are the home being too far away from the applicant’s family and the area having problems with drugs or antisocial behaviour.