COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, November 14, 2022

QUESTION NO. 24

QUESTION: Councillor K. Mahon

To ask the Chief Executive to confirm how many homes have been purchased by SDCC under the Ministerial direction giving Local Authorities power to purchase tenanted homes where the tenant is on the HAP or RAS schemes?

REPLY:

The acquisition of properties is funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and subject to prevailing policy.  The Council's delegated authority allowed the purchase of properties to meet priority needs (e.g. medical needs etc.), to exit households from homelessness, and to acquire specific properties types/sizes reflecting local needs.  Our Housing Delivery Action Plan 2022-2026, reflecting the prevailing position at the start of the year, envisaged opportunities for 10-20 additional social homes annually through acquisition but there has been limited availability in the housing market generally to date this year, particularly in the context of our policy of not competing with first-time buyers on the open market.  Our scope for acquisitions has recently been extended to include increased flexibility on the purchase of properties with HAP/RAS tenants in situ who are at risk of homelessness due to Notices to Quit.

Properties for potential acquisition are subject to DHLGH acquisition cost limits and are prioritised based on how imminent the risk of homeleness is together with the specific household needs while alternative accommodation options are also pursued by the Council for the hosueholds concerned as appropriate.  Properties are valued and inspected prior to negotiation/agreement on sale price and once the necessary conveyancing processes are completed a Council tenancy will be put in place for the property.

5 purchases with HAP/RAS tenants in situ have been completed or agreed to date in 2022 and several additional potential purchases are being examined.