COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

south dublin county council crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, February 10, 2014

QUESTION NO. 10

QUESTION: Councillor D. Looney

To ask the Manager how many social housing units have been built or procured by the Council, year-on-year, for as far back as records are available, and to make a statement on plans for social housing building and procurement for 2014 and 2015?

REPLY:

1996 - 2013

From the period 1996 to 2013 a total of 6,445 social housing units were procured throughout the county under a wide range of schemes.

Details of the number of units and their respective procurement mechanisms for each of the years are listed in the table below.

Type 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 Total
Social 60 25 152 115 77 109 169 102 192 254 391 176 322 231 78 5 9 0 2467
Acquisitions through Purchases 0 0 0 1 4 54 15 3 12 9 12 93 1 0 2 21 6 10 243
Voluntary 50 83 0 66 21 136 67 31 0 119 157 1 7 33 20 191 1 14 997
Part V 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 26 9 74 63 84 122 23 0 0 0 401
Properties procured under lease arrangements 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 19 110 40 106 275
RAS 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 164 178 273 304 321 202 226 237 1905
Traveller Accomodation     5 5 10   6 11 5 20 25 8 38 10 11 3     157
Total 110 108 157 187 112 299 257 147 235 411 823 519 725 700 474 532 282 367 6445

2014 AND BEYOND

Housing Construction Programme:

During 2013 the Council identified a number of sites throughout the county with potential for proposed infill development.  

Details of these sites and proposals were submitted to the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government as part of the Council's response to the Government's Summer 2013 call for proposals for inclusion on a local authority housing construction led job stimulus programme.  The locations included:

  1. St Marks' Clondalkin  (11 units)
  2. St Finian's, Lucan  (2 units)
  3. Suncroft, Tallaght (10 units)
  4. MacUilliam, Tallaght (28 units)
  5. Mayfield, Clondalkin (18 units)

Sites 1 - 3 listed above were among three Part 8 Public Consultation Planning Processes successfully concluded with the Manager's reports presented to and approved by the Council on 9th of September 2013.   In line with the prescribed procedure associated with all capital works, a formal submission has now been forwarded to the DoECLG for approval to proceed to tender stage on these three (3) schemes.  We await the outcome of this submission.

Sites 4 - 5 listed above are currently going through a formal Part 8 Public Consultation Planning Process. Details of these proposed schemes are available here. This process is expected to conclude with presentation of the Manager's Report to the Council at the March 2014 meeting.

The viability of various potential sites already identified by Elected Members at various meetings and in correspondence is also being examined. It is anticipated that maps of the areas identifed by Councillors will be circulated shortly asking that the specific area(s) which they consider suitable for development be identifed.  Following from this exercise these sites will be scoped to ensure that the sites are viable.   Feasibility of the sites will depend on site services, conditions and constraints.

Similarly we are establishing details of the Council's landbank for other plots which may be deemed suitable to facilitate potential future building programmes, following from which a similar exercise to the above will be required.

Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS):

Following recent notification from the Department of Environment Community and Local Government Local Government of funding for a Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) Programme 2014-2016 South Dublin County Council  has  invited  Approved Housing Bodies to put forward cost effective and sustainable proposals to meet the housing needs for people with specific categories of needs as identified in the latest Housing Needs Assessment. The following are the three priority needs suitable for CAS funding as identified in the latest South Dublin County Council Housing Needs Assessment:

1. Accommodation for People with a Disability

2. Accommodation for Homeless

3. Accommodation for Travellers

The available funding will facilitate the advancement of a modest construction programmer and /or the acquisition of built properties where suitable and value for money alternatives exist. Priority will be afforded to small infill type developments of up to 10 units and to projects which will be ready to commence in 2014.

Leasing / RAS : 

During 2014 and beyond the Council will continue to be proactive in the procurement of units for the provision of social housing support under the Social Housing Leasing and RAS schemes (whereby we enter into lease arrangements with private property owners and Voluntary Housing Bodies to procure homes to provide for the housing needs of persons on social housing waiting lists).  In 2013 circa 345  units were procured with a significant number contracted in late December through multi-unit leases and we expect to exceed this figure during 2014 with a number of proposals for multi-unit leasing at various locations throughout the county currently being considered. 

Part V:  

Over the past couple of years the Council succesfully negotiated a number of financial compensations as a result of agreements in accordance with Part V.   In accordance with the Part V conditions this fund can be used to finance the purchase of completed units.   During 2014, it is intended subject to Department of Environment Community and Local Government approval, to purchase a number of suitable units throughout the county in areas of housing demand with some proceeds from this fund. 

"First Wave" Housing Assistance Payment (HAP):

South Dublin County Council is one of 7 "First Wave" local authorities where HAP will be implemented in 2014.

The introduction of HAP will represent a fundamental reform to the way in which social housing supports are to be provided, including that those in receipt of HAP are considered to have their housing need met.   HAP recipients will source their own accommodation in the private rented sector.  However, unlike rent supplement generally, the Council will  make a full rental payment directly to the landlord with the HAP recipient making a differential rent contribution to the Council. 

Traveller Accomodation:

With regard to planned developments for 2014 and 2015 – As outlined in the Traveller Accommodation Programme 2014 – 2018 (adopted at the Council Meeting in January 2014), the Council plans to deliver new units as per the Programme and redevelop Belgard Road & St. Aidans in 2014.  It is further intended to redevelop Oldcastle Park and the 3 Bay Emergency site in Lynch's Lane in 2015.