Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 July 2013
154. Deputy Michael P. Kitt asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the proposals he has to deal with the increased number of applicants for housing; the work of housing organisations and the National Asset Management Agency in housing regeneration projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34021/13]
View answerThe Government’s housing policy statement, published in June 2011, clearly identifies that the priority for Government will be to meet the most acute needs of households applying for social housing support. It also identifies approved housing bodies (AHBs) as key partners in the delivery of social housing recognising both the constrained funding levels available for local authority construction programmes and the capacity and track-record of the voluntary and cooperative housing sector. I am determined to ensure that the social housing programme optimises the delivery of social housing and the return for the resources invested. To achieve this, it is essential that we tailor the use of available Exchequer supports to prevailing conditions and explore the full range of solutions to address housing needs.
The financial parameters within which we will be operating for the coming years rule out a return to large capital funded construction programmes. The Government is committed to responding more quickly and on a larger scale to social housing support needs through a variety of mechanisms, including through increased provision of social housing.
In July 2012 I announced details of a three-year funding programme of €100 million to deliver some 800 new units of voluntary and local authority owned social housing. Through active management of my Department’s housing programme for 2013, I am now in a position to approve a limited programme of house purchases for both the local authority and voluntary housing sectors. In the case of CAS funded projects, my Department requested local authorities to give priority consideration to proposals which will provide accommodation for persons with a disability. I intend to announce details of the approved projects over the summer period.
Delivery of social housing will be significantly facilitated through more flexible funding models such as the Rental Accommodation Scheme and leasing but the Government is also committed to developing other funding mechanisms that will increase the supply of permanent new social housing. Such mechanisms will include options to purchase, build to lease and the sourcing of loan finance by approved housing bodies for construction and acquisition.
Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) have a proven track record in managing and maintaining housing estates and flat complexes and in the provision of services and supports to tenants with specific categories of need. AHBs currently play a key role in the management of properties and the delivery of a wide range of services to households and communities within the regeneration areas. AHBs are also directly involved in the planning and construction of new housing projects to provide replacement housing for families where existing poor quality housing is being demolished. It is also intended that AHBs will have a direct involvement in the refurbishment of houses and the provision of replacement housing in certain estates within regeneration areas.
There is also obvious potential, across a range of housing programmes, for the Government’s objective of sourcing and providing suitable residential units for use as social housing to be aligned with the commercial objectives of the National Asset Management Agency (NAMA). In this regard, NAMA is working closely with my Department, the Housing Agency and with local authorities and AHBs in relation to the delivery of social housing and all parties are committed to the maximum possible delivery of residential properties under this important initiative.
At the end of Quarter 2 2013, 296 properties have been delivered for social housing to date from NAMA's portfolio, with contracts signed in respect of a further 101 properties. This brings the overall total number of residential properties completed or committed to social housing under this initiative to date to just under 400 properties.
While these properties did not form part of any specific Regeneration programme, they include some properties where the approved housing body has substantial works to complete to make them suitable for occupation. NAMA has invested some €6m to date in the works required to complete properties. It will continue to be my Department's objective in 2013 to maximise the delivery of social housing using all of the resources available.
Quarterly updates in relation to the delivery of NAMA sourced units are available on my Department’s website at www.housing.ie.
