Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 November 2009
95 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the number of persons to date who have made a full application under the home choice scheme; the cost to date in 2009 of administering this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42931/09]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer to the reply to Question No.47 on today's order paper.
96 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the precise methodology to be employed in providing leased accommodation through the voluntary sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42928/09]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has recently extended the Social Housing Leasing Initiative to allow for the direct provision of dwellings by approved housing bodies. The extension of the leasing arrangements to the voluntary and co-operative housing sector is designed further to broaden the sources of supply and accelerate delivery under the initiative.
The new arrangements put in place mean that approved housing bodies will now be able to procure units themselves, either directly from a private owner or by purchasing/constructing units using private finance, which they then make available under the leasing programme to persons in need of social housing support. The lease payment, in both cases, will be equivalent to what would be paid under the other leasing delivery mechanisms, as payments will again be determined by reference to local market rents.
The assessment process in place for units provided by approved housing bodies will be similar to that already in place for leasing proposals generally. In each case, the approved housing body will need to demonstrate that there is a housing need in the area concerned and that the proposal complies with the Department's sustainable communities policy objective and represents good value for money. Provision is also made for the involvement of the relevant housing authority at various stages of the assessment process and in relation to the implementation of proposals.
