Local Authorities must step up and engage with NAMA over social housing – Lawlor

Thursday, February 21st 2013

Fine Gael TD for Kildare North, Anthony Lawlor, has today (Thursday) called on local authorities across the country to step up to the plate and start engaging with NAMA on the transfer of properties to them for the purpose of social housing.

“NAMA has advised me that it has made over 4,000 properties available to local authorities across the country for social housing, which is a substantial contribution given the limited number of available residential properties within the NAMA portfolio. Once these properties are made available, the onus is on local authorities to engage with NAMA to lease or purchase these properties for people on the social housing list.

“Of the 4,000 properties available, only 2,300 have been transferred to local authorities who have advised NAMA that they have no demand for about 1,000 of the properties for reasons including the avoidance of undue segregation within particular developments and areas.

“I find it outrageous, that, during a time when there is a decrease in the number of houses being built in the country yet the number of people being added to the social housing list is increasing, local authorities are not engaging with NAMA who have offered them housing for lease or purchase.

“I am calling on local authorities across the country to step up and start talking to NAMA immediately to alleviate the long waiting list for social housing and the waiting times within the Department of Social Protection for rent supplement.”

ENDS