Local Government Housing Shortage Update 12th March 2014

12th March 2014 - Bernard Durkan TD

To the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government:

To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total number of families recorded as being in need of housing and registered on local authority housing waiting lists in each of the past ten years to date; and notwithstanding the serious economic crisis which he inherited on coming into office, the extent to which he can expect to deal with the now seriously emerging housing situation with particular reference to the need to access urgently required housing units throughout Dublin and adjoining counties thereby addressing the most serious housing crisis since the foundation of the State; if consideration can or has been given to emergency action in this regard; when such housing might be available to those currently homeless, in emergency accommodation or about to become homeless as a result of increased private rents; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

– Bernard J. Durkan.

For ORAL answer on Wednesday, 12th March, 2014.

Ref No: 11889/14

REPLY

Minister of State at the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government (Ms. J. O’Sullivan)

The report on the 2011 Housing Needs Assessment, available on my Department’s website at www.environ.ie

, contains details of waiting list numbers for each local authority which were recorded under the tri-annual social housing needs assessments carried out from 1993 to 2011 under Section 9 of the Housing Act 1988. The latest social housing needs assessment was carried out as at 7 May 2013 in accordance with Section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and these results are also available on my Department’s website.

The 2013 figures are the most up-to-date figures available on waiting list numbers, which are subject to on-going fluctuation due to households being allocated housing and new households applying for housing support. However, the 2013 results cannot be directly compared to previous results given that this latest summary employed different methodologies and it was the first to be carried out under the 2011 Social Housing Assessment Regulations.

As regards the housing situation and homelessness, in February 2013 I published the Government’s Homelessness Policy Statement in which the aim to end long-term homelessness by the end of 2016 was outlined. The statement emphasises a housing-led approach which is about accessing permanent housing as the primary response to all forms of homelessness. The availability and supply of secure, affordable and adequate housing is essential in ensuring sustainable tenancies and ending long-term homelessness.

The Homelessness Oversight Group, which I established in 2013 for the purposes of reviewing the progress of the approach being advocated in the statement, identifying obstacles and proposing solutions has submitted its first report to me. The report considered the supply and access to housing units throughout the country. A copy of this report is available on my Department’s website, www.environ.ie .

On 25 February 2014, the Government approved the establishment of a Homelessness Policy Implementation Team and an implementation unit. The team is tasked with implementing the Homelessness Oversight Group’s First Report.

This will include the preparation and publication of a structured, practical plan to make the transition from a shelter-led to a sustainable housing-led response to homelessness and to achieve the 2016 goals for homelessness. This plan will be a practically focused delivery plan to secure a ring-fenced supply of accommodation for house homeless households within the next three years and mobilise the necessary supports. It will contain actions that will be direct, immediate and solutions based.

The implementation team is representative of the key State agencies dealing with homelessness, housing and related services because the solutions to homelessness do not solely reside in my Department. The teamis being led by my Department and it includes a senior official from the Department of Social Protection and the Health Service Executive as well as the Managersof Dublin City Council and Monaghan County Council representing local authorities. The team will report on this plan to the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy in April 2014 and quarterly thereafter.

I am acutely aware of the significant number of families now presenting as homeless in the Dublin region and the extremely challenging situation that this is presenting to Dublin City Council. My Department is working with Dublin City Council on measures to address this emerging situation and the plan will incorporate actions to address this and other accommodation related issues.

I expect that in the region of 5,000 social housing units will be provided in 2014. I am committed to continuing to develop innovative and sustainable approaches to the provision of social housing.

Local Government Housing Shortage Update 12th March 2014

Related news

Sinn Féin reach new low exploiting Covid diagnosis in Dáil vote

Agency should be tasked with monitoring alleged price gouging by service providers – Durkan

Questions remain about National Lottery’s new 'must-win' prize game – Durkan