COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, February 12, 2018

QUESTION NO. 2

QUESTION: Councillor P. Foley

How many people were removed from the housing allocations list on the basis of not filling out the Housing Needs Assessment form?  What efforts were made to contact these people? Can a statement be made on the matter.

REPLY:

The most recent Social Housing Assessments were carried out in 2016 and 2017. Due to variation in numbers re-assessed it is necessary to give information on these two assessments.

In 2016 the SHA involved the re-assessment of those on the Council’s social housing waiting list prior to 21/09/2015 and this involved 7,174 applications. There were 1,438 applications removed from the social housing waiting list for failure to reply to the SHA representing 20% of those re-assessed.

Of those ‘Non-responders’ whose file was cancelled - 216 have had their files re-opened with no loss of Time on List (a further 15 contacted the office querying the cancellation of their file but failed to submit requested documentation). As is the norm following completion of the Assessment, any cancelled applications may be reinstated onto the Council’s housing waiting list on receipt of required documentation within a specified timeframe ( i.e. 31/03/2017 for 2016 Assessment) when re-assessed and deemed to remain eligible.                                                                                          

In 2017 the SHA involved the reassessment of those on list from 22/09/2015 to 28/06/2016 this involved 478 applications. There were 86 applications removed from the social housing waiting list for failure to reply to the SHA this represented 18% of those assessed. 

Of those ‘Non-responders’ whose file was cancelled - 19 have had their files re-opened with no loss of Time on List. As is the norm following completion of the Assessment, any cancelled applications may be reinstated onto the Council’s housing waiting list on receipt of required documentation within a specified timeframe ( i.e. 31/12/2017 for 2017 Assessment) when re-assessed and deemed to remain eligible. 

The Council issues two letters to applicants in connection with the SHA – initial letter and follow-up to those who have not responded. The Council also advertises in the local newspapers and on the Council’s website – on the home page and on the Choice Based Letting page.   Those actively engaging with Choice Based Letting should have seen the advertisement as it is placed on the initial log-in page. Following cancellation of application applicants are not able to access the site and are directed to the Allocations Section.

Please note the Council has been informed that a SHA is to be carried out this year to include all applications, timeframe for completion is circa 30/06/2018 - specifications and guidance are to be issued by the Department.