Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 June 2017
2259. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government if funding requests from the housing agency for the purchase of vacant homes were refused in 2016 or in 2017; if so, the amount refused; and the proposed units that were not purchased as a result of this refusal. [28934/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Housing Agency did not have any funding requests for the purchase of vacant homes refused in 2016 or 2017.
Under Actions 1.1, 2.5 and 5.6 of Rebuilding Ireland: Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, the Housing Agency is actively and positively engaged with banks and investment companies in relation to its acquisitions programme. €70m is being provided in 2017 to the Housing Agency to establish a revolving fund to acquire some 1,600 units over the period to 2020 for social housing use. The fund will be replenished by the Agency through the sale of units primarily to the Approved Housing Body (AHB) sector.
As of 31st May 2017, the Housing Agency has signed contracts for 379 dwellings and 225 of these purchases have closed. The process of selling properties on to Approved Housing Bodies is underway.
