COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, November 12, 2018

MOTION NO. 13

MOTION: Councillor G. O'Connell, Councillor L. O'Toole

That the Chief Executive provide a report on the practical steps taken to date to implement H1 Objective 4 of the County Development Plan 2016 – 2022 and that a discussion take place leading to proposals on how elected members of this Council can play an active and positive role in promoting social integration, especially in new residential developments but also where housing supports such as HAP are used, across South Dublin County.  

REPORT:

H1 Objective 4 of the County Development Plan 2016-2022 seeks to promote social integration and facilitate a diverse range of dwelling tenures within housing developments, including social housing in a balanced way in all Local Electoral Areas of the County.

A key measure to implement this objective is through delivery of social homes under the provisions of Part V of the Planning & Development Act 2000 as amended.  This legislative mechanism provide an executive function that allows local authorities to obtain up to 10% of land zoned for housing development at "existing use value" rather than "development value" for the delivery of social housing.  Delivery of social homes under Part V is key to ensure an adequate supply of housing for all sectors of existing and future population across the County.

When submitting a planning application, developers must specify proposals regarding how they intend to comply with their Part V obligations.  These proposals form the basis for commencement of negotiations between the developer and the Council’s Housing Department to satisfy the Part V requirement.  Such negotiations by their very nature are unique to the area in which the development is proposed and to the proposed development itself – there is no specific set formula for resolution of the negotiations with delivery negotiated on a case by case, area by area basis.  The following considerations give an overview of the basis upon which the Council approaches negotiations for the delivery of Part V social homes:

• the number of applicants on the waiting list for social housing and the home sizes required;
• opportunities or otherwise for new social home building projects in an area;
• the numbers of social homes achieved and to be achieved under Part V;
• existing and future integration of housing tenure, including ensuring that social homes are delivered within sustainable communities;
• opportunities to partner with reputable Approved Housing Bodies on the allocation, management and maintenance of a homes; and,
• achieving value for money in the delivery of social homes under Part V.

An examination of reporting on Part V negotiations is currently being undertaken with a view to further discussing this matter at the next Housing Strategic Policy Committee meeting.