Update: Rent Increases in the Private Sector – Environment 17th September, 2014

 Question No.     1615  
 
 
Chun an Aire Comhshaoil, Pobail agus Rialtais Áitiúil:  
To the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government:                
 
 
 
To ask the Minister for the; Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the total number of persons currently on the various local authority housing lists throughout the country with particular reference to County Kildare; the extent to which rent increases in the private sector are making it impossible for such families to exist or remain in their homes; if urgent provision can be made to meet their requirements thus preventing a further escalation in homelessness; and if he will make a statement on the matter.  

 
For WRITTEN answer on Wednesday, 17th September, 2014.  
 
Ref No: 34847/14  
 
 

Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government (Mr. A. Kelly)  
 
 
The statutory Summary of Social Housing Assessments in 2013 showed that there were 89,872 households on local authority waiting lists as at 7 May 2013. This represents a 9% decrease on the previous summary of 2011 and is the most up-to-date figure 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 in the intervening period. The results of the 2013 summary, including breakdowns by each local authority across a range of categories, are available on my Department’s website at http://www.environ.ie/en/PublicationsDocuments/FileDownLoad,34857,en.pdf  .  
The Reports shows that 5,454 households were on waiting lists in Co. Kildare as at 7 May 2013.  
 
The private rented sector is an increasingly important element of the housing market, with the proportion of households in the sector almost doubling in the period 2006-2011. I am conscious of the difficulties caused by rising rents and the problem of sourcing suitable accommodation, especially in Dublin and other urban centres.   The fundamental reason behind the rise in rents is a lack of supply.   The Private Residential Tenancies Board (PRTB) was asked to  conduct   a study to explore options to address the difficulties being experienced in segments of the private rented sector due to rising rents to report back with policy recommendations. The Report is currently being finalised and is due to be presented to me very shortly. The overriding objective is to achieve stability and sustainability in the private residential rental market for the benefit of tenants, landlords and society as a whole.  
 
On 20 May 2014, the Implementation Plan on the State’s Response to Homelessness  was published in which the Government’s approach to delivery on its objective of ending involuntary long-term homelessness by the end of 2016 was outlined.   This Plan sets out a range of measures to secure a ring-fenced supply of accommodation for homeless households within the next three years and to mobilise the necessary supports.    
 
Action 1 of Construction 2020 €“ A Strategy for a Renewed Construction Sector  provides for a National Framework for Housing Supply to be established on a statutory footing with an annual National Statement of Projected Housing Supply and Demand published every June. I have asked the Housing Agency to take the lead in implementing this Action.  
 
The proper management of all State land is critical; accordingly, both lands that have been transferred to the Housing Agency and local authority held lands suitable for development will be the first sites considered in any future targeted social housing building programme.
 
The Review of Part V of the Planning and Development Acts, which provides for social and affordable housing supply,       has been completed by the Housing Agency, at my Department’s request, and will be submitted to Government shortly. It is anticipated that any legislative changes required on foot of the review will, subject to Government approval, be incorporated into the General Scheme of a new Planning Bill, which is expected to be published shortly.
 
In relation to providing social housing for those on the waiting lists, a new Social Housing Strategy is currently in preparation, with the intention that it will be considered by Government in the coming weeks. It will contain clear, measureable actions to increase the supply of social housing, based on innovative solutions that will harness new funding streams, in order to continue to protect the most vulnerable and disadvantaged in our society.
 
In the meantime, my Department is continuing to oversee the provision of social housing for people on the housing waiting list and for homeless persons through local authorities and other providers. Overall, I expect some 6,000 social housing units to be delivered across the range of programmes this year.