Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 March 2015
264. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will provide an update regarding the number of social housing units to be delivered in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9846/15]
View answerDetails of targets and timelines for delivery of social housing units are set out in tables 1 and 2 of the Social Housing Strategy 2020, which is available on my Department’s website at the following link: http://www.environ.ie/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/Housing/FileDownLoad,39622,en.pdf.
The provision of 35,000 new social housing units under the Strategy is set out in two phases: Phase 1 targets the delivery of 18,000 additional housing units by the end of 2017 and phase 2, spanning the years 2018 to 2020, targets the delivery of 17,000 units. Of the 35,000 units, I expect that 5,400 new social housing units will be delivered in 2015 through the following methods: 3,000 leasing, returning 1,000 vacant properties back to productive use; and 1,400 units through direct build or acquisition by local authorities and approved housing bodies.
A further 2,000 units will be delivered through the Rental Accommodation Scheme bringing the total number of units to be delivered in 2015 to 7,400. In addition, 8,400 transfers to the new Housing Assistance Payment ( HAP) scheme are to be achieved.
