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For Written Answer on : 09/09/2021
Question Number(s): 305 Question Reference(s): 41468/21
Department: Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Asked by: David Stanton T.D.
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QUESTION


To ask the Minister for Housing; Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question No. 600 of 15 June 2021, when the internal working group established to consider a long-term strategy for unsold affordable housing units last met; the current members of the internal working group; when he expects the working group to meet again; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

REPLY




As of Q4 2020, a total of 2,039 unsold affordable units have been identified across 19 local authorities.

These units are available for social housing and currently occupied by social housing tenants. These properties have provided homes for these tenants dating from 2009 when my Department issued guidance to local authorities on the use of unsold affordable properties as a means to meet social housing need. 

In September 2020, I convened a working group to examine the issues around these units in detail. This working group comprises members of the Local Government Management Agency, Housing Finance Agency, Housing Agency, Approved Housing Bodies through the Irish Council of Social Housing and my Department.

The group last met in November 2020. The next meeting is planned for September 2021.