Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 May 2018
608. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will report on the progress made with the assessment of the submissions received under the Rebuilding Ireland enhanced social housing long-term leasing proposals; when a decision will be made on these submissions; the target date for completion of the assessments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22530/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraA range of housing options are necessary to ensure a supply of accommodation to meet different types of social housing need. Harnessing the off-balance sheet potential of private investment in social housing is an important objective of the Government and the social housing targets set out in Rebuilding Ireland over the period to 2021 reflect the ambition in that regard.
Of the 50,000 social housing homes to be delivered under Rebuilding Ireland, 10,000 are targeted to be leased by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) under leasing arrangements from a range of different sources, including 3,500 homes targeted using the Repair and Lease Scheme (RLS), and 6,500 homes using a combination of the existing social housing leasing arrangements, and the new Enhanced Leasing Scheme. All homes delivered under leasing arrangements will be funded under my Department’s Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme (SHCEP). It is intended that up to 2,000 units will be leased by Local Authorities in 2018 through the range of leasing schemes in place.
The new Enhanced Leasing Scheme has been developed by my Department, together with the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA), the Housing Agency and local authorities, in order to harness the potential of private sector interest in social housing delivery in a new set of long-term leasing arrangements, in a manner designed to leverage off-balance sheet funding opportunities in accordance with Rebuilding Ireland objectives. The Scheme is targeted at new build or new to the market properties to be delivered at scale and will complement the existing long-term leasing arrangements, which will continue to be available. There are, however, a number of key differences between the existing long term lease and the enhanced lease, the purpose of which is to facilitate larger levels of private investment in social housing while ensuring that the capital investment is off balance sheet in respect of Government expenditure.
The scheme will be governed by my Department and operated by local authorities. The Housing Agency will manage and administer the scheme on behalf of my Department and will act as a national co-ordinator.
A call for proposals was launched on 31 January 2018 and the Housing Agency accepted submissions from interested parties until 12 April 2018. All proposals are subject to a range of criteria as set out in the “Calls for Proposals for Enhanced Long Term Social Housing Leasing Scheme” and the proposals will be assessed and marked in accordance with the terms set out therein. This document sets out the various assessment stages and the expected minimum associated timeframes (Appendix 4). The Call for Proposals is available on the Housing Agency website at the following link: https://www.housingagency.ie/News/Current-News/Enhanced-Long-Term-Social-Housing-Leasing-Scheme.aspx.
A total of 33 submissions were received from interested parties which represents strong interest from the market. The Housing Agency is currently reviewing the proposals and will complete the initial review process (Stage 1) in the coming weeks. The total number of units proposed is still being worked through as part of the assessment process and will be the subject of an agreement between the individual Local Authorities and proposers.
Further information with respect to the numbers and locations of the units proposed for leasing under the Scheme will be available when the individual proposals have been assessed, marked and accepted in accordance with the terms and methodology set out in the Calls for Proposals document.
