Written answers

Tuesday, 15 November 2016

Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government

Social and Affordable Housing Provision

Photo of John CurranJohn Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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356. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government following the publication of his action plan for housing and homelessness four months ago the status of the progress made to date on action 5.7; the details of the pilot repair and leasing initiative he has initiated; and the timeline to expand this initiative and, in particular, to establish it in Dublin where the housing crisis is most severe. [35106/16]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Rebuilding Ireland: Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness recognises the important source of potential accommodation vacant private properties present. The Repair and Leasing Scheme (RLS) has been developed to assist private property owners and local authorities or Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) to harness this potential, and bring these vacant houses into social housing use to provide homes for families on local authority waiting lists.

The new scheme was launched in Waterford and Carlow in early October 2016 on a pilot basis, and depending on the take-up from private property owners, will be rolled out to further local authorities. The purpose of the pilot is to ensure that the scheme is workable from local authorities’ and AHBs’ perspectives. It is anticipated that other local authorities will come into the scheme on a rolling basis, with full roll-out expected within 6 months. Given that the launch was very recent no statistics on the RLS are available as yet.

AHBs have a proven record in managing the refurbishment of properties and being good landlords puts them in an excellent position to play a key role in the success of the scheme.  Several AHBs will be working together with the Waterford and Carlow local authorities to manage the scheme in those particular areas.  As the scheme is rolled out in other local authority areas, more AHBs around the country will become involved with other local authorities.

The scheme is targeted at owners of vacant properties who cannot afford or access the funding required to bring them up to the standard for rental property.  Subject to the suitability of the property for social housing, and the agreement of the property owner, the cost of the necessary repairs will be met upfront by the local authority or the AHB.  This allows for the property owner to sign-up to a lease arrangement for a length that is linked to the value of the repairs, subject to a minimum of 10 years.  The value of the repairs will then be offset incrementally against the agreed rental payment over a defined period within the lease.

Over the period 2016 to 2021 it is anticipated that up to 3,500 units will be secured for social housing under this scheme. €6m has been budgeted for 2017, with a target of 150 units. The availability of a national scheme from mid-2017 will see an increase in activity and budget from 2018 onwards.

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