Danny Healy-Rae
Question:392. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will address a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31239/23]
View answerTuesday, 27 June 2023
Questions (392, 393, 394, 395)
Danny Healy-Rae
Question:393. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the role his Department has in setting the tenancy rates for voluntary houses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31242/23]
View answerDanny Healy-Rae
Question:394. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31248/23]
View answerDanny Healy-Rae
Question:395. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31249/23]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 392 to 395, inclusive, together.
Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) (also called housing associations or voluntary housing associations) are independent, not-for-profit organisations. They provide affordable rented housing for people who cannot afford to pay private sector rents or buy their own homes; or for particular groups, such as older people or homeless people.
Since the establishment of AHBRA on 1 February 2001 all 450 AHBs are deemed registered and fall under the remit of AHBRA. The vast bulk of AHBs are also registered charities and, as such, cannot divest themselves of charitable assets under the provisions of the Charities Acts.
While subsequent to the completion of the terms and agreement of any state funding, the AHB is the sole owner of a property. However, any disposal of property would have to comply with its own Articles of Association, and any obligations as a charity. It would be advisable for an AHB to consult with the Charities Regulator if it is a registered charity.
However, it is a matter of general policy that AHB homes developed for social housing purposes are retained as such.
The oversight and practical management of housing waiting lists, including the allocation and transfer of tenancies, is a matter for the relevant local authority in accordance with the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, and associated regulations. As Minister I have no role in this regard.
The allocation of scheme is made by the elected members under section 22 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and in compliance with Social Housing Allocation Regulations made thereunder, and specifies, among other things, the manner of, and the order of priority for, the allocation of dwellings to households on the housing and transfer lists. Under section 22, an allocation scheme shall apply to dwellings owned or under the control of a local authority, as well as dwellings provided by an AHB with Exchequer funding.
My Department provides a range of funding streams, through local authorities, to assist AHBs with the delivery of social housing, examples of which include the Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF) with a Payment and Availability Agreement, or the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS). The Capital Loan Subsidy Scheme (CLSS) was closed to new applications in 2011.
The terms and conditions, including nomination rights and rent setting, of these funding schemes are set out in my Department's Memorandum on Capital Funding Schemes for the Provision of Rental Accommodation by Approved Housing Bodies (Voluntary and Co - Operative Rental Housing): VHU: 2/02 of May 2002 and related circulars, and the relevant mortgage, loan agreements and Payment and Availability Agreements in force between the relevant local authority and AHB.
Once these units have reached the end of their mortgage/charge period, the properties are considered unencumbered and the terms of the funding agreements no longer apply; including rent setting, monitoring and reporting responsibilities and nominations from the local authority. In addition, some AHBs have acquired units without the assistance of State funding including from fundraising, donations and bequests and utilise these units for the provision of accommodation to those qualified for social housing support.
My Department is looking further at this issue, and indeed wider issues facing the AHB sector as it expands its delivery on behalf of the state. An internal working group, the AHB Unencumbered Units Working Group, has been established to look at options on how to ensure the continued use of these units for social housing support use. Its membership comprises the relevant policy areas within my Department.
Question No. 393 answered with Question No. 392.
Question No. 394 answered with Question No. 392.
Question No. 395 answered with Question No. 392.