COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

south dublin county council crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, February 14, 2011

QUESTION NO.3

QUESTION: Councillor R. Dowds

To ask the Manager to outline what South Dublin County Council's response is and will be to people who, because they are unable to repay their mortgage, have to give up their homes and therefore are in need of Social Housing?

REPLY:

The  Council is aware of an increase in such cases over recent months and would refer to the Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears recently published by the Central Bank of Ireland which outlines framework for dealing with borrowers in arrears for Banks,Building Societies and other Financial  Institutions. The framework is effective from the 1st January 2011 and sets out the details to be applied to relevant cases on provision of information, Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process (MARP), Communications, Financial Information, Assessment, Resolution, Appeals and Repossessions.

In cases involving borrowings from the Council  a very proactive approach is taken in working with the borrowers on a personal basis on arrangments being put in place to manage the financial difficulties they face and arrears that have arisen. This is compliance with the most recent directives issued by the Department of Enviroment, Heritage and Local Government.

It should be noted that while someone owns a residence or a share in a residence, in most circumstances the council will not consider them to have a housing need and an application for social housing will not be accepted as they do not not meet the criteria of need as set out in the Council's Scheme of Letting Priorities. However, once the house has been repossessed or surrendered, an application will be accepted, they will be placed on the Housing list and then housed in the normal way reflecting their need and in accordance with the Scheme of Letting Priorities.

In cases where the client is genuinely homeless through the loss of the family home they will be placed on the Homeless list and prioritised for housing using the many initiatives operated by this Council.