COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, October 12, 2015

QUESTION NO.8

QUESTION: Councillor E. Ó Broin

To ask the Chief Executive for a report on voids in the County including the total number of voids on Monday 5 October 2015, the length of time each of these properties has been void, the estimated length of time it is expected to return each of these voids back to stock, to indicate how many of these voids have been allocated and to which list (CBL, homess, medical priority) and when those which have not been allocated will be allocated, the location of the voids (North or South of the Nass Road) and to indicate whether the Council has any voids which it does not expect to return to stock and if so to explain why.

REPLY:

On the 1st October 2015 there were 14 units vacant in the "North of the Naas Road" area. 2 are ready for allocation.   11 are still under repair.  Two of these houses require major works to be undertaken on them. Tenants have been sourced for 5 of the 14 houses.  Prior to allocation of the remaining 9 houses are being inspected to see if they are suitable for Medical/ Homeless allocation.

In addition to vacant housing there is an old shop in this housing area, which is the subject of discussions with Architects Department regarding its future use and identification of funding to bring it back into productive use

There are 24 units vacant “South of the Naas Road”.  19 of these units are still under repair.  5 are ready for allocation and 13 have tenants sourced. Three of these houses require major repair works to be undertaken on them.   Prior to allocation the remaining 11 units are being inspected to see if they are suitable for Medical/ Homeless Allocation. 

The current average turnaround for a casual vacancy in South Dublin County Council is 9.93 weeks.   The Council do not have any voids that will not be returned to stock.

In order to ensure effective management of voids, each dwelling is inspected to ascertain its suitability for medical, homeless, CBL and other housing lists.  The careful allocation of the property ensures that applicants for housing are accommodated as quickly as possible and that existing tenants are not forced to live beside vacant dwellings which may be subject to vandalism. 

In the case of medical allocation, when the applicant is being considered for a property (new or existing), the requirements as recommended by the appropriate person (Medical Referee, Social Worker or Occupational Therapist) are  taken into consideration and an inappropriate property is not offered to the individual.   If the property is not suitable for Medical Allocation, may then be considered for homeless or CBL.