COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, May 09, 2011

MOTION NO. 9

MOTION: Councillor M. Duff

That this Council requests the Manager to provide a report indicating how many "single person" tenants, currently living in three bedroomed houses, who could downsize to smaller housing units and to facilitate transfer requests to such accommodation in an effort to free up housing for families on the Council's housing list.

REPORT:

Currently there are 567 three-bedroomed properties which have single person tenancies in place. This represents approximately 5% of the Council Social Housing Stock. 41 of these tenants have applied for transfers to 1 bed units based on downsizing

The Council considers tenants who wish to downsize in terms of the transfer list where relevant but two factors that effect progress are:

• Lack of single bed units
• Location of single bed units

The Council will continue to consider transfers as an option for those wishing to downsize to smaller units.

In relation to the 526 tenants in 3 bed properties who have not sought a transfer it should be noted that they have generally lived in the 3 bed property and raised their family there over an extended period.  They tend to have neighbours support and sentimental attachment to the property and area and do not want to move from it.  Under the tenancy agreement it is not be possible to compel them to do so