COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

South Dublin County Council Crest

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, July 09, 2018

QUESTION NO.

QUESTION: Councillor F. Timmons

That the Chief executive issues a report into how the need for one and two bed accommodation will be met by SDCC How many are on one and two bed list and to ask how many are on list for down sizing  , to also comment if there are people who are willing to down size what is procedure and options for them? is there any plans for accommodation for older people who want to downsize ?

REPLY:

There are 2,630 applications on the Council's social housing waiting list with a need for one bedroom accommodation and of these 181 are older persons. 

There are 2,751 with a need for two bedroom accommodation.

The Council's Scheme of Letting Priorities allows for priority status to be granted to certain tenants applying for a transfer to alternative accommodation, included is the category of those who qualify for downsizing.  The Council facilitates this category of transfer in so far as possible.  The availability of suitable accommodation and having regard to those on the Council's Housing List determines the quantity of such transfers. 

Following the decision to carry out a full review of the transfer list this April (still in progress) there are currently 56 tenants who have been approved for a transfer on downsizing grounds (not including any other additional transfer priority). 

Bedroom Requirement No. of Requests
1 bed 31
2 bed 20
3 bed 3
4 Bed 2

The resulting vacancies would be as follows:-

CURRENT DWELLING SIZE TOTAL
2 Bedroom 12
3 Bedroom 39
4 Bedroom 4
5 Bed (RAS) 1

Currently we are prioritising those on the transfer list that are in adapted accommodation and those who are severely overcrowded. It is recognised that those seeking to downsize can provide a welcome stock from which we can accommodate those who require larger accommodation.  However while cognisance is taken of these applicants desire to downsize, the financial impact such transfers will have on the current maintenance budget must be taken into account. This in effect means we will only consider the downsizing provided the housing units are in good repair.   A full clear rent account is also required for transfers and downsizing.