COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, October 08, 2007

QUESTION NO. 3

QUESTION: Councillor C. King

To ask the Manager, to provide details of the percentage of income each voluntary housing association operating in South Dublin requires their tenants to pay and for this list to include any organisation whose properties are currently under construction?

REPLY:

The majority of Voluntary Housing Association Schemes funded through South Dublin County Council are provided under the Capital Loan and Subsidy Scheme and the rent amounts to be paid by qualifying tenants are determined by the following formula laid down by the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government under the terms of the Scheme:

- the rent is calculated annually by reference to the tenant's household income for the income tax year ending prior to the start of the loan subsidy year (1st July);

- the rent amount shall be not less than €6.35 per week for the first €102 or less of household income per week, plus €0.23 per week for each additional €1.27 of income over €102, with an abatement of €1.27 per week for each dependent child residing in the house subject to the rent not being less than €6.35 per week;

- household income for the purpose of determining rents shall be the total income of the tenant and his/her spouse or of joint tenants as the case may be and, in addition, in the case of other persons residing in the house whose income is not included in household income the weekly rent shall be increased by €0.23 for each €1.27 of such income in excess of €102, subject to the rent payable in respect of such person(s) being not more than €25.39 per week;

- a "dependent child" for the purposes of rent assessment means a person aged 18 years or under not in receipt of an income or a person under 23 who is attending a full-time course of education;

- the application of the rent formula may be modified, at the discretion of the approved housing body in particular respects where they consider it appropriate, subject to the overall rent yield being not less than what would be payable under the existing rent scheme.

There is no specific rent formula for projects funded by way of grant under the Capital Assistance Scheme. The Scheme provides that approved housing bodies should fix rents at levels which are reasonable having regard to tenants' incomes and the outlay of the approved housing body on the accommodation including the ongoing costs of management. The Scheme provides that housing authorities have clear rights of consultation in relation to the fixing of rents generally.

The following organisations currently have properties under construction within the South Dublin County Council administrative area:

Oaklee Housing Trust Ltd. - Fortunestown B, Tallaght

National Association of Building Co-operatives - Kilcronan, Clondalkin

Cara Housing Association - Balgaddy C, Lucan

Fold Housing Association - Whitestown Way, Tallaght

Peamount Housing Association Ltd. - Castlelyon, Newcastle

Cluid Housing Association - Adamstown Castle, Lucan