COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF TALLAGHT AREA COMMITTEE (1)
Monday, March 25, 2013
QUESTION NO. 15
QUESTION: Councillor D. Looney
To ask the Manager to respond to the ongoing concerns expressed by community activists in Springfield with regard to the high numbers of rented properties in the area, and the issues arising from such a high number of rented properties; to suggest any possible mechanisms to alleviate the difficulties which have been expressed by residents in the area; and to make a statement on the matter.
REPLY:
South Dublin County Council’s Housing Strategy is prepared in accordance with Part V of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 and Part II of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2002. This Strategy is for the period 2010-2016 (which is the lifetime of the County Development Plan). The key purpose of the Strategy is to identify the overall need for housing in the area of the Development Plan and to ensure that South Dublin County Council provides for the development of sufficient housing.
There is a requirement that 15% of units in new residential developments be reserved for social/affordable units: the distribution to take cognisance of the existing concentration of social and affordable housing. This percentage reflects the combined need for social and affordable housing arising out of the assessments of need. Having regard to the flexibility introduced in the Planning and Development Acts and having regard to all of the relevant factors, a net countywide requirement of 15% Social/Affordable Housing in private residential developments is appropriate.
The Council has developed a comprehensive in-house management tool based on the Council’s GIS system which maps real-time indicative information on the existing concentration of housing tenure mix in any particular area. The information from this mapping system is used to inform decision making on the optimal social mix. In considering properties for social use, the Council makes every effort to ensure that the 15% social housing mix is maintained throughout the county within private estates. However, there are circumstances where depending on housing demand, area status and adherence to good estate management principles it may be reasonable to exceed this quota.
However, with specific reference to Springfield, an analysis of social mix in this area indicates that the social percentage of all units averages at 17.5%, albeit that the percentage is higher in some pockets. For this reason properties offered to the Council for RAS/Leasing in this area are only favourably considered in exceptional circumstances which include:
- Where a property may already be specially adapted and suitable to the needs of a family with special accommodation needs
- Where a property is sourced through Applicant Sourced Housing (ASH) and which is already occupied by persons in receipt of Rent Supplement, therefore not effecting the existing social mix.
It should be noted that the Council does not control the allocation / assignment of accommodation to persons through private market rentals/leases including those in receipt of Rent Supplement.