Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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765. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the assistance he can provide to a group (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5978/16]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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Section 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1992 enables housing authorities to provide assistance to Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) for the provision of housing. Section 6 (6) of the Act empowers me, as Minister, to grant approved status for this purpose.

AHBs are independent, not-for-profit organisations. They provide affordable rented housing for people who cannot afford to pay private sector rents or buy their own homes; or for particular groups, such as older people or homeless people.

AHBs also include housing co-operatives, which are housing organisations controlled by their members/tenants who actively participate in setting their policies and making decisions.

Applications for approved status will be considered from the following: Limited Companies formed by guarantee of their members and not having a shareholding, registered under the Companies Act 2014; Societies registered under the Industrial and Provident Societies Acts 1893-2014; Trusts incorporated under the Charities Acts.

A body seeking to obtain, and to retain, approved status must: have as its goal, the relief of housing needs, to assist with cases of poverty or hardship, including the welfare of Travellers, and the delivery and management of housing; have in its Memorandum and Articles of Association or registered rules, provisions preventing the distribution of any surplus, profit, bonus or dividend to its members; ensure that its assets are applied solely towards its objects.

Further information on becoming an AHB can be found on my Departments website at: .