COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
Monday, April 14, 2014
MOTION NO.13
MOTION: Councillor E. Higgins
That the Manager provide a report on how we as a County will capitalise on the 15million euro fund package announced by the Government in relation to vacant local authority properties.
REPORT:
The Department of Environment and Local Government by Circular: Housing 11/2014 dated 06 March 2014 have provided a new programme with a key objective to assist fund targeted vacant stock to a lettable, energy efficient condition at reasonable cost. To qualify for this programme it is necessary for the void to be vacant for in excess of 6 months.
Funding will be provided up to a maximum of €30,000 per dwelling and must include the following.
- The fabric of the dwelling must be retrofitted as the first priority and all retrofitting works must comply with the provisions of the new Code of Practice in this area.
- All works should be guided by dwelling surveys and pre-works BER assessments.
- Post works BERs are required for all upgrades.
The measures will apply to both casual vacancies and long-term voids.
Funding
This Council has made an application for funding under this scheme to bring 44 dwellings which, meet the criteria as set by the Department, back into stock. These units have heretofore been unavailable for letting and 4 are vacant for more than 6 months. Should we be successful it will increase the number of properties available to this Council to meet the need of social housing in this area.
Effective management of voids is a key aspect of achieving best practice and value for money in housing management. South Dublin has been proactive in dealing with vacant social housing stock and currently has only 44 vacant properties. This equates to approximately 0.4% of the housing stock under our direct management.