Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 March 2023
138. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will ensure that Tathony House is acquired for social and affordable housing despite the fact that some of the tenants are not currently eligible for either social or affordable homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11869/23]
View answerThe Government and I are focussed on ensuring that all measures possible are taken to ensure that no person enters homelessness and to increase the supply of homes for those most in need. In the last Quarter of 2022, approximately 4,800 new build social housing homes were delivered, along with some 500 acquisitions. 600 lease arrangements were put in place to provide further capacity. In addition, some 1,500 local authority homes were refurbished under the voids programme and restored to use, as well as the provision of 500 emergency beds and 150 cold weather beds.
The acquisition of second hand properties for social housing falls under a number of local authority and Approved Housing Body (AHB) acquisitions programmes. As housing authorities, local authorities are responsible for the identification of the social housing need in their area. It is a matter for the respective local authority, Dublin City Council in this case, to determine the most appropriate response to the need for social housing supports in their area.
While acknowledging the call from tenants and political representatives for Dublin City Council to acquire the building and keep the tenants in situ, it should be understood that the complexities of the situation limit options available to Dublin City Council and my Department due to the current tenants not being eligible for social housing supports.
That said, on 7 March I informed Government of plans for a measure to give new opportunities to tenants that are above the threshold for entitlement to social housing. These include requiring a landlord selling a property to first offer it to the tenant on an independent valuation basis for sale, and working with AHBs and local authorities to develop a bespoke cost rental model for tenants at risk of homelessness but not on social housing supports to continue to rent their homes at existing or market rates.
I have also approved measures to further augment the strong social housing delivery pipeline. These include:
- An increase in the number of social housing acquisitions to 1,500 in 2023 to reduce the number of households at risk of homelessness.
- An additional 1,000 homes through a Targeted Leasing initiative with more than 600 of those to be delivered in 2023.
- The amendment of the Capital Advance Leasing Facility used by Approved Housing Bodies to assist them in their efforts in delivering social homes.
