Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

512. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government what course of action is available to an individual if they do not qualify for social housing and find themselves homeless due to lack of private rentals available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14012/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the statutory role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of emergency accommodation and related services for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities.

Under the Housing Act 1988 it is a matter for each local authority to determine whether a person is regarded as homeless; section 2 of the Act sets out the requirements in this regard. When a household has been assessed as homeless, section 10 of the Housing Act 1988 provides that a local authority may provide accommodation and related services to that household. Any household assessed as homeless may be placed into temporary emergency accommodation without the requirement to undergo a social housing assessment, allowing local authorities the flexibility that is essential to respond quickly and effectively to the various needs of cases that may arise.

I understand some local authorities use the social housing application form as a tool to assist them reach an opinion on the applicant’s ability to provide accommodation from their own resources. Notwithstanding this, it remains the case that households need not be eligible for social housing to access homeless supports and homeless households can be provided with temporary emergency accommodation without undergoing a social housing assessment. This ensures local authorities can respond effectively to the various needs of cases that may arise.

The Government has recently agreed on a number of new measures to give tenants the opportunity to buy their home. This includes developing a legislative provision which may require that a landlord selling a property to offer “First Right of Refusal” to a tenant. Furthermore, I have issued a request to the First Home scheme Designated Activity Company to expand its eligibility to encompass such instances as where tenants who have received such a notice would be eligible for support under that scheme. In addition, I am developing proposals for a bespoke cost rental model which would see a provider avail of this First Right of Refusal to allow tenants who have received such a notice and who are at risk of homelessness, but not on social housing supports, continue to reside in the property.

The details of these schemes are in the process of being advanced and information will be available in due course.