Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The Government's priority under Housing for All is to deliver 47,600 new build social homes over the next five years. Substantial funding is available to local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) to deliver on this objective as the primary means through which they will increasingly meet the needs of those on their waiting lists. I am also keen that local authorities and AHBs avoid competing with potential private purchasers for available properties.

Given the need to avoid competition and the focus of support on the build programme, I have asked local authorities to limit their acquisitions of privately owned properties, with approximately 200 acquisitions to be undertaken over this year under SHIP and CALF funding programmes

It will be a matter for the local authorities themselves to decide their specific priority acquisitions but I have asked that they have particular regard to the following areas: 

- One-bedroom units to deliver on Housing First and meet the short supply in this category;

- Other properties that allow persons/families to move from homelessness;

- Specific housing required for individuals with a disability or other particular priority needs;

Any acquisition proposed must represent value for money per my Department's acquisitions guidelines.

Dublin City Council (DCC) has advised that in line with this plan, it will pursue a limited acquisition programme from 2022 onwards which will focus on vacant properties in the following categories; one beds for homeless singles, four beds for larger homeless families and buy and renew properties which have been vacant for a significant period.  

DCC will assess all proposed acquisitions taking into account all of the above factors.

Regarding situations where landlords are selling a property rented to a person or a family in receipt of social housing supports local authorities have the services of tenancy sustainment officers to intervene at the first response.

DCC have informed my Department that as this particular property does not fit into the categories outlined above they are not in a position to acquire it at this time. DCC Allocations Section has been notified of the medical needs in this case and the household are to be assessed to determine whether a medical priority is appropriate in these circumstances.