COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, December 09, 2019

QUESTION NO. 20

QUESTION: Councillor C. O'Connor

To ask the Chief Executive to update the Council on his continued strategy to deal with the housing crisis; will he give his end of year views in respect of the matter and make a statement.

REPLY:

The current housing situation continues to be a major challenge facing all Councils throughout the country.

The Council has a projected delivery of over 500 homes this year through our Build and Acquisition programme, Part V and Approved Housing Bodies.   In addition, the provision of social housing through Leasing, RAS and HAP schemes continue to be a key part of social housing supply this year and into 2020 and beyond.

Proposals for housing delivery on large Council owned sites at Kilcarbery, Clonburris, Killinarden and Rathcoole are at early stages of development and form a major part of future housing supply in the County.

Housing supply is the key solution to the current housing/homeless situation through the avenues outlined above and will continue to examine additional opportunities for further housing delivery where possible.  In addition, the Housing Department continues to maximise the effectiveness of existing and new social housing stock through allocations, transfers and assisting rightsizing to help address the challenges provided by the current situation.  The numbers availing of the HAP scheme continue to rise and this form of social housing support, in addition to the comprehensive building programme that this Council is undertaking, will provide additional accommodation to those in need of long term housing.   

Throughout 2019 our Homeless Unit provided assistance to those who found themselves homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.  This unit continues to operate an advice clinic in County Hall and provides outreach and place-finding services across the County as well as detailing emergency accommodation options including central placement, self-accommodate, family hubs and other supported accommodation.  Staff in the homeless unit organise emergency accommodation for those assessed as homeless through the Assessment and Placement Service. The Housing Department in conjunction with the Dublin Region Homeless Executive and other partners continue to look for suitable locations/properties throughout the County for use as appropriate emergency accommodation for single persons and families. Additional options to support persons moving on from supported temporary accommodation continue to be explored and we are also committed to the provision of housing first tenancies where appropriate.