Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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228. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the status of Call for Housing 2020; the number of properties offered for sale; the number purchased; and the number occupied by house size and local authority area. [2719/21]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The “Call for Housing 2020” was launched on 21 July 2020 as a short-term intervention to stimulate interest in social housing delivery, through acquisitions and leasing from opportunities arising in the property market. The campaign has been run on behalf of my Department by the Housing Agency, in consultation with the local authorities.

Up to 15 January 2021, the total number of properties that were offered to the Housing Agency for sale was 308 (with a further 127 offered under leasing / Rental Accommodation Scheme arrangements). Of those properties offered for sale, 36 have had bids accepted and have progressed, 16 have closed. A number of properties submitted to the Housing Agency are being pursued by local authorities and approved housing bodies independently.

This measure was specifically developed as a temporary intervention in the context of addressing urgent Covid-19 related housing needs. My Department is currently considering the appropriate duration of the measure.