Niamh Smyth
Ceist:64. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the progress being made to reduce the social housing waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19608/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 8 May 2018
Ceisteanna (64)
Freagraí scríofa
Under Rebuilding Ireland, a total of 50,000 social housing homes will be delivered through build, acquisition and leasing programmes. In addition to this, 87,000 additional households will be supported through the Housing Assistance Payment Scheme (HAP) and the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS). When combined, over 137,000 long term and flexible options will be made available to those on the housing waiting lists under Rebuilding Ireland.
Details on the number of households qualified for social housing support, in each local authority area, are set out in the statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments. The most recent summary, which was carried out in 2017, details the number of households on all local authority waiting lists, as at 28 June 2017. The 2017 summary shows that 85,799 households were assessed as being qualified for and in need of social housing support. This represents a decrease of 5,801 households or 6.3% compared to the 2016 summary.
I recently wrote to all local authorities setting out their individual social housing targets across build, acquisition and leasing for 2018 and also for 2018-2021. Details of these are available on the Rebuilding Ireland website at the following link:
http://rebuildingireland.ie/news/minister-murphy-publishes-social-housing-delivery-targets-for-local-authorities-2018-2021/.
The Government, working with the local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies and other delivery agents, is already exceeding the delivery targets set for the first two years of Rebuilding Ireland. Of the combined target of 137,000 referred to above, just under 45,000 households have had their housing need met by the end of year 2 of the Rebuilding Ireland Plan – 33% of those targeted under the 6 year Plan as a whole.
Detailed data in relation to social housing delivery by each local authority for 2017, including units built directly by local authorities is available on my Department's website at the following link:
http://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/attachments/1b1-la-bld-by-area_10.xlsx .
My Department will continue to work with local authorities to maximise delivery and also harness appropriate opportunities to deliver on additional build units in 2018, including through turnkey schemes.