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Local Authority Housing

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 September 2020

Tuesday, 29 September 2020

Questions (390)

Johnny Guirke

Question:

390. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number on local authority housing waiting lists in each of the years 2010 to 2019 and to date in 2020, in counties Meath and Westmeath in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26783/20]

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Written answers

Details on the number of households qualified for social housing support in each local authority area is provided in the statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments (SSHA). The SSHA has been conducted on an annual basis since 2016, prior to which it was carried out once every three years.

The most recent summary, conducted in June 2019, shows that 68,693 households were assessed as qualified for and being in need of social housing support. This represents a decrease of 3,165 households or 4.4% on the last assessment in June 2018. Since 2016, the numbers have decreased from 91,600 to 68,693, a reduction of 25%. 

Below is the link to the summary report for 2019 which includes breakdowns by each local authority, across a range of categories.  

SSHA Report 2019

https://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/sha_summary_2019_dec_2019_web_1.pdf  

It is important to note that only the results of the 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 summaries are directly comparable with each other. These summaries were carried out using a standardised methodology as specified by the Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011. Previous summaries were not carried out under the current standardised assessment regime for social housing support which came into effect on 1 April 2011.

As there were no assessments carried out in 2010, 2012, 2014 or 2015 my Department does not have data for those years.

Below are links to the Housing Needs Assessment (HNA) for 2011 and SSHA reports for 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018  which contain data broken down for the 31 local authority areas, including the number on the housing waiting lists in Meath and Westmeath. 

HNA 2011

https://www.housingagency.ie/sites/default/files/53.%20Housing-Needs-Assessment-Report_web.pdf  

SSHA Report 2013

https://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/migrated-files/en/Publications/DevelopmentandHousing/Housing/FileDownLoad%2C34857%2Cen.pdf  

SSHA Report 2016

https://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/summary_of_social_housing_assessments_2016.pdf  

SSHA Report 2017

https://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/sha_summary_2017.pdf  

SSHA Report 2018

https://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/publications/files/summary_of_social_housing_assessments_2018_-_key_findings.pdf  

While the SSHA is normally conducted in or around June, given the impact of the Covid-19 crisis on local authorities and nature of the work involved in conducting the SSHA, the SSHA for 2020 was deferred to allow local authorities to continue to focus their resources on immediate priorities. However, recognising that the SSHA is a very important part of the evidence base for housing policy at both local authority and national level, I have directed local authorities to carry out the SSHA 2020 in November 2020.

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