Written answers

Thursday, 10 December 2015

Department of Environment, Community and Local Government

Social and Affordable Housing Provision

Photo of Richard Boyd BarrettRichard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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29. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government considering the housing and homelessness crisis, if he will consider, as an alternative to temporary modular homes, purchasing an equivalent number of permanent homes, hundreds of which are currently advertised for sale at equivalent prices to the cost of modular homes, and which would move quickly and more permanently provide homes for those with housing need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44129/15]

Photo of Paudie CoffeyPaudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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In delivering on the targets of the Social Housing Strategy 2020, local authorities and approved housing bodies are utilising a range of delivery approaches to meet the needs of those on the housing waiting lists. The acquisition of properties is an important component of this delivery, as is the remediation of vacant units. This is particularly so given the time-lag in delivery for construction projects. Local authorities already have devolved responsibility to undertake suitable acquisitions of properties for social housing purposes, while being sensitive to local market conditions and achieving good value for money. The acquisition of units, therefore, is already underway and will continue to be used by local authorities where appropriate, alongside other social housing delivery mechanisms such as construction - including modular housing - and the delivery of NAMA residential properties, making units available through the local authority leasing scheme, the rental accommodation scheme and the Housing Assistance Payment scheme.

In line with the Social Housing Strategy, all of these approaches are required for the delivery of social housing in the short, medium and long-terms and I am satisfied that they are being advanced strongly by local authorities and approved housing bodies.

The programme for the delivery of 500 units of modular housing for homeless families across Dublin is being implemented to mitigate the issues associated with an increasing volume of homeless families accommodated in inappropriate commercial hotel arrangements. Accordingly, in combination with other approaches, it is an appropriate and valuable element of the delivery of social housing for those who require this support.

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