Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 November 2021
241. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if local authorities report to him the number of long-term leases entered into each year; and, if so, the overall number, by local authority, in tabular form. [58200/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra242. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the forward planning in place to prevent a future housing crisis given the recent uptake by local authorities of long-term leases; and if it is planned that local authorities will purchase these homes at the end of the leasing agreement. [58201/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 241 and 242 together.
Long term leasing forms part of the overall social housing leasing delivery which also includes delivery streams such as Mortgage to Rent Scheme (MTR), the Repair and Leasing Scheme (RLS) and the Enhanced Leasing Scheme. A breakdown of total leasing delivery per annum for social housing by local authority location can be found on my Department's website at the following link: www.housing.gov.ie/housing/social-housing/social-and-affordble/overall-social-housing-provision#leasing
Delivery data for Q3 2021 is being collated at present and will be published as soon as that process is finalised.
The recently published Housing for All strategy is the Government’s plan for the future of housing. Housing for All provides for an increase in the supply of housing, to an average of 33,000 a year over the next decade. This includes an average of 10,000 new build social homes. Under Housing for All, the focus is on increasing social housing through new build, with a reduced reliance on the leasing and acquisition of homes. As such long-term leasing will be phased out by the end of 2025 and thereafter no new homes will be delivered through long-term leasing. There will also be a limited number of social homes delivered through acquisitions, with current projections limiting acquisitions to 200 new social homes per annum.
The Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme (SHCEP) supports the delivery of social housing by providing financial support to local authorities for the leasing of houses and apartments. Dwellings under the scheme come from a number of different sources including private owners, Part V and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs). Local authorities enter into leasing agreements for periods of up to 25 years. At the end of the leasing term it is then a matter for each local authority if they wish to purchase the property at the end of the lease term, should it become available to buy.
