Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 May 2023
224. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider putting a cap on how many social houses a local authority can purchase in a private housing development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20526/23]
View answerUnder Housing for All, the Government will deliver 47,600 new build social homes and 3,500 social homes through long-term leasing in the period 2022-2026. Our clear focus is to increase the stock of social housing through new build projects delivered by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs).
Under Housing for All, there was provision for 200 social housing acquisitions each year. However, with increased pressures on housing and the exit of landlords from the market, my Department reinstated delegated sanction to local authorities in April 2022 to acquire social housing properties for a number of specific categories which included:
• One-bedroom units to deliver on Housing First and meet the short supply in this category;
• Other properties that allow persons/families to exit homelessness; and
• Specific housing required for/suitable for individuals with a disability or other particular priority needs.
For 2023, the Government has agreed that there will be increased provision for social housing acquisitions and my Department will fund local authorities to acquire up to 1,500 social homes. The additional acquisitions will be focused on properties where a tenant in receipt of social housing supports has received a Notice of Termination due to the landlord’s intention to sell the property. My Department issued a circular letter to all local authorities on 14 March, setting out details of these arrangements. The circular provided each local authority with a provisional allocation for the number of acquisitions, which will be kept under review.
Given that every local situation can be different and that it is the local authorities that make decisions on the suitability or otherwise of properties for acquisition - including the need to maintain an appropriate balance in property tenures - I am satisfied that those individual situations are best judged by the respective local authority housing teams.
It is important that our local authorities have the flexibility to secure such acquisitions and I have given a commitment to continue to support them in this regard, especially to prevent homelessness where a landlord is selling the property.
