Action Plan
for Housing and
Homelessness
First Quarterly Progress Report
November 2016
Contents
Foreword by the Minister 1
Key statistics on Housing and Homelessness 3
Progress Overview 6
Summary Overview 6
Key Developments 7
Governance 8
Legislation - Planning and Development
(Housing and Residential Tenancies Bill 2016 9
Consultation, Communications and Engagement 10
Delivery on actions due during Quarter 3 2016 11
Pillar 1: Address Homelessness 12
Pillar 2: Accelerate Social Housing 18
Pillar 3: Build More Homes 26
Pillar 4: Improve the Rental Sector 31
Pillar 5: Utilise Existing Housing 35
Looking forward – the next quarter 38
Glossary of Terms 41
FOREWORD
Simon Coveney, TD, Minister for
Housing, Planning, Community
and Local Government
Welcome to the first implementation report under the Government’s Action Plan for Housing and
Homelessness, Rebuilding Ireland. The Action Plan was the result of intensive collaborative work with
all stakeholders in the housing sector in a relatively short space of time. Delivery of the Action Plan
within the first 100 days of this Government taking office was an absolute priority for me and for the
whole of Government. The early publication of the Plan, the wide and valuable consultations that
informed and shaped its content, the recognition of the multi-faceted challenges we face together
and the scale of its ambition all show the extent of the Government’s commitment to solving Ireland’s
housing crisis.
While developing the Plan was challenging, the real test will be the successful realisation of its
objectives. We’re now very much in implementation mode. We’ve outlined the scale of our ambition;
now we must deliver on it. That’s a huge challenge but I am confident we can meet it.
I’ve said on a number of occasions since the publication of Rebuilding Ireland
in July that the success of the Action Plan will be measured by delivery
in terms of providing homes for our people. This implementation report
records the progress we have made to date under the five Pillars of
the Plan. The primary focus is on the actions for delivery, in whole or
part, before the end of the Third Quarter, and on the other actions for
delivery in the period immediately ahead.
I’m pleased to say that this first implementation report is very
encouraging and records some significant early achievements.
We’ve taken concerted action to deliver on the priority objectives
in relation to addressing homelessness. The Dublin Region HAP
homeless pilot is delivering ahead of target with the full
annual target almost delivered with a full 3 months of
the year still to go. Supports for families in emergency
accommodation have been improved with the
active engagement of Minister Zappone and her
Department, as well as the Dublin Region Homeless
Executive and the HSE. Significant additional
resources for tackling homelessness are being
delivered under Budget 2017, with an increase
of almost 40% in my Department’s funding.
First Quarterly Progress Report | November 2016
1
Foreword | continued
With winter almost upon us we are now facing into the most difficult period for homeless individuals
and families. We must respond to this by doing all we can to ensure there are sufficient cold weather
facilities in place. In that context, Dublin City Council has now commenced work on 3 new projects
that will deliver a further 200 emergency beds in Dublin.
Some other notable achievements recorded in this report include progress on important legislation
to streamline the planning process for major residential developments, to provide a new funding
mechanism for dedicated student accommodation and to introduce significant new protections for
tenants providing for security of tenure where their rented homes are being sold.
Supply is the core issue across all parts of the housing market at present and here again the report
marks some solid progress, that will see the release of key sites for development, particularly in and
around our cities. The €200m Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund is now in place and will
unlock key strategic housing sites that are currently being held back by lack of infrastructure. This
investment of public funds has the potential to deliver between 15,000 and 20,000 homes by 2019.
Proposals have been submitted by 21 local authorities, often in partnership with housing providers;
these are currently being evaluated ahead of the announcement of successful bids before the end
of the year.
Funding to support a strong ramping up of new social housing by local authorities and Approved
Housing Bodies next year has been secured through a transformational budget for housing. The
Government is allocating €1.3 billion to housing programmes next year, a 39% increase over 2016.
This investment will see the housing needs of over 21,000 households being met in 2017.
We are still in the early stages of the journey towards fixing Ireland’s housing crisis but we have a clear
understanding of the nature and scale of the problems we face, a clear plan of action to deal with
them and a strong financial commitment from Government to ensure that the resources that are
needed are made available. We have made a positive start and my Government colleagues and
I are committed to moving forward with urgency, working together with all of the key stakeholders
involved.
Simon Coveney, TD
Minister for Housing, Planning,
Community and Local Government
2
Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness
Key statistics on housing
and homelessness
i) Context
The overarching aim of Rebuilding Ireland is to ramp up the supply of housing across all tenures. The
target for supply is a minimum of 25,000 new homes per annum, which is a significant challenge,
given that output in 2015 was just 12,666 new homes.
However, the lack of available and zoned land is not an issue. Based on the recent calculations
across all 31 local authority areas, there are 17,434 hectares of land zoned residential nationally
(serviced and un-serviced), enough for 414,000 new homes.
In Dublin, there are enough zoned and immediately developable lands to deliver 50,000 new homes
with planning permission already in place for 27,000 new homes across the metropolitan area. In
total, there are 2,654 hectares of land zoned (both serviced and un-serviced), sufficient to provide
for 116,700 homes.
ii) Latest Trends and Data
a.Homelessness
Housing authority reports for September 2016 identified the following:
n4,283 adult individuals in State-funded emergency accommodation;
n1,173 families are included in this total, of which 1,014 are in the Dublin Region;
n2,426 dependents are associated with these families;
n6,709 people in total (adults and dependents).
There have been 1,350 sustainable exits from homelessness in the first 6 months of 2016 compared
to 2,322 in 2015 (full year).
530 HAP tenancies have been created for homeless households up to October, 2016.
127 rough sleepers were recorded nationally on Census Night (24 April 2016).
Over 200 additional emergency bed spaces will be provided in Dublin this winter.
b.Social Housing Construction
The social housing target under the Action Plan is the provision of 47,000 social housing units by
2021, of which it is expected that:
n26,000 units will be built (construction, voids, Part V) exclusively for social housing;
n11,000 will be acquired (by LA, AHB & HA) from the market, a portion of which will be newly
built units; and
n10,000 units will be leased by LAs and AHBs - this will be a mix of units from the existing
housing stock and newly-built units.
First Quarterly Progress Report | November 2016
3
Key statistics on housing and homelessness | continued
In terms of construction of social housing (LAs and AHBs):
nThere are 355 schemes approved across all areas, delivering 5,206 units;
n74 schemes will start (or have already started) in 2016 delivering 1,424 units;
n196 schemes will start in 2017 delivering 3,001 units.
c.Housing Assistance Payment
nThere are currently 14,297 active HAP tenancies;
nA total of 9,542 HAP tenancies have been set-up to date in 2016;
nThere are more than 9,500 separate agents and landlords receiving payments on behalf of
HAP supported tenants currently.
d.House building activity
There are 126 active sites in Dublin (with 10+ units) across the four local authority areas, with
an aggregate output of 2,079 houses and 2,746 apartments (an overall average of 38 dwellings
per site). Data for the rest of the country is in preparation and will be included in future monthly
output updates.
i. Planning Permissions: up to June 2016
Planning permission for 12,953 new homes was granted in the year up to end June 2016, an
increase of 23% year on year, of which 7,332 are in the GDA (6,000 in Dublin) and 5,631 in the
rest of the country.
ii.Completions
Up to the end of September 2016, 10,507 new homes were completed nationally, an increase
of 18% over the same period in 2015, of which 4,410 were in the Greater Dublin Area, up 35%
(Dublin, 3,031 – up 47%).
House type breakdown:
• Apartments make up 33% of Dublin’s completions, 25% of GDA and 17% nationally.
• Individual – once off - houses made up 41% of all house completions; 59% outside GDA;
• Housing schemes represented 58% of Dublin’s completions, 58% of GDA and 42% nationally.
iii.Commencements
Up to the end of August 2016, 7,139 new units were commenced nationally, up 34% year on year,
3,599 in the GDA (2,081 in Dublin), 2,985 were once-off homes, 42% of the total and an increase
from 39% in the same period in 2015.
4
Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness
Key statistics on housing and homelessness | continued
iv.House Purchase Prices
The Central Statistics Office’s (CSO) new Residential Property Price Index provides a very
comprehensive set of new house price data at a much more detailed level, using a combination
of datasets e.g. Revenue – Stamp Duty; Geodirectory (Eircode) and BER Cert data.
In terms of annual price trends (based on August 2016 data),
nNationally, house purchase prices increased 7.2% over the last 12 months;
nIn Dublin, house purchase prices increased 4.5%;
nExtracting Dublin data, house purchase price averages across the Rest of the Country
increased by 11.4%:
• First time buyers account for 24% of the market based transactions (by volume) in the year
to August 2016. On average they have paid €235K for new homes and €214K for second
hand homes;
• Former owner-occupiers, accounting for 52% of the market, paid an average of €310K for
new homes and €267K for second hand properties;
• Other buyers (investors, Local Authorities etc.) make up the remaining 24% of the market
and pay an average of €189K for new properties and €167K for second hand units.
A more detailed breakdown of purchase prices at a county, and postcode level, can be found
on the CSO website.
e.Vacant Units:
Preliminary results from the 2016 Census indicate that almost 200,000 dwellings nationwide –
excluding holiday homes and derelict houses – were recorded as vacant. The CSO has indicated
that more detailed information and categorisation of vacant properties will be available in the
Housing Specific Report from Census 2016 which is being prioritised for finalisation in April 2017.
f.Rental:
In terms of annual rent trends (based on Residential Tenancies Board data to end June 2016):
nNationally rent prices increased an average of 9.9%;
nIn Dublin rent prices increased an average of 9.0%;
nExtracting Dublin data, rents across the Rest of the Country increased 10.6% on the year.
First Quarterly Progress Report | November 2016
5
PROGRESS OVERVIEW
Summary Overview
Since the launch of the Rebuilding Ireland - Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness, in July, the focus
has moved swiftly on to implementation and coordination of actions. Responsibility for advancing
each of the 84 actions across the five pillars of the Action Plan has been assigned to relevant Heads
of Business Units, both within DHPCLG and in other key Departments and Agencies, who are leading
on specific policies. While each action under the five pillars has been assigned an owner and is being
actively progressed, the primary focus of this report is on the 33 actions due for delivery (in full or in
part) in Quarter 3 of 2016, and on key developments and progress during this first reporting period, as
well as a look forward to key priorities and deliverables between now and the end of 2016.
Of the 33 actions targeted for delivery during this third quarter of 2016, 27 of these actions have been
completed or progressed in line with commitments and timelines outlined in the Action Plan. While
good progress has been made on several other commitments, delivery remains behind schedule in
respect of the following six actions:
Action 1.10:
We will enhance inter-agency arrangements to ensure that
accommodation, welfare and health supports for prisoners are in
place prior to their release.
Action 2.10:
The Housing Agency will establish a Housing Procurement Unit.
Action 2.11:
We will review our processes and procedures for approving and
advancing housing construction projects.
Action 2.14:
We will establish a dedicated one-stop-shop within the Housing
Agency to support AHBs, which will allow for better coordinated
delivery under various mechanisms across all local authority areas.
Action 3.8: We will develop and publish an Implementation Plan to prioritise
implementation of key recommendations within the An Bord Pleanála
review.
Action 4.6: We will introduce a new Affordable Rental scheme to enhance
the capacity of the private rented sector to provide quality and
affordable accommodation for households currently paying a
disproportionate amount of disposable income on rent.
In each case, considerable progress has been made towards delivery of each of these delayed
actions and it is anticipated that each outstanding action will be fully completed during the
fourth quarter.
6
Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness
Progress Overview | continued
Key Developments
In terms of making significant early progress on some key actions, the following developments in this
third quarter will have a particularly significant ongoing impact on our capacity to meet both current
and emerging housing needs:
n Extending the use of the HAP Homeless pilot in Dublin, with 530 of the end-year
target of 550 tenancies already in place;
n The launch of Abhaile – the new national Mortgage Arrears Resolution Service –
and the associated scheme of Aid and Advice for borrowers in mortgage arrears;
n Plans to provide further family and child welfare supports for homeless families
such as Home School Community Liaison services through Education Welfare
Officers, Tusla’s work on School Completion Programmes and Leap travel cards
for families and children living in hotels and other emergency accommodation;
n Establishment and early activation of the Housing Agency’s €70m rolling fund to
purchase vacant properties from banks, and investment companies, with the
Agency expecting to acquire or contract to acquire over 200 properties by the
end of this year;
n Establishment of the Housing Delivery Office within the Department, which
is already active in assisting and advising local authorities, AHBs and other
stakeholders to help increase and accelerate housing provision;
n Funding of a dedicated Student Housing Officer to work with USI, LAs and other
stakeholders in identifying additional rental capacity for returning students, with
that resource in place before the start of this academic year; and
n Providing in regulations for the national roll-out of choice-based letting
arrangements or equivalent systems for local authorities to help streamline the
letting of social housing and house prospective tenants more quickly.
First Quarterly Progress Report | November 2016
7
Progress Overview | continued
Governance
Clear and well defined governance structures are vital to the effective management and
co-ordination of the various actions under the five Pillars across the various lead Departments
and Agencies.
The Cabinet Committee on Housing, chaired by An Taoiseach, is driving and prioritising implementation
through its regular review of progress and oversight of the publication of quarterly progress reports.
Within the DHPCLG, an Implementation Board of senior officials, chaired by the Secretary General,
monitors progress on a fortnightly basis, while Project Working Group structures for each of the five
Pillars are in place to ensure that any operational considerations relating to the delivery of actions
are identified early and resolved quickly and effectively.
To ensure wider coordination and communication with all relevant stakeholders, Minister Coveney
will chair a high-level Oversight Group, comprised of senior officials from relevant Departments
and Agencies, along with representatives of the CCMA, AHBs and other key stakeholders. The first
meeting of this Oversight Group is planned for November 2016 with meetings taking place quarterly
thereafter; its primary focus will be to assess progress across the range of policy areas, to share views
on current and emerging challenges and priorities and to inform wider political and administrative
consideration of new policies, initiatives and reforms.
As outlined in Rebuilding Ireland it is also proposed to establish a more broadly based Stakeholder
Forum on Housing and Homelessness, also chaired by Minister Coveney, as a forum for regular
feedback on the practical experience of implementation of the various actions. The forum will
include a wide representation from the full range of stakeholder groups, including experts from
different fields across the sector. The stakeholder consultation events arranged to date in devising
and launching Rebuilding Ireland will therefore move into a more structured, regular and ongoing
consultation arrangement.
8
Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness
Progress Overview | continued
Legislation – Planning and
Development (Housing and
Residential Tenancies) Bill 2016
To facilitate early action on new processes and structures which are key to the delivery of housing
and the regulation of the housing sector, the Government approved the publication of the General
Scheme of a Planning and Development (Housing and Residential Tenancies) Bill in September
and is now prioritising its drafting and full publication to enable a number of legislative actions and
reforms highlighted across the five pillars of the Action Plan to be enacted during the current term.
These reforms include provision for:
n Facilitating (for a limited time-period) planning applications for large-scale (100 or
more units) housing developments and student accommodation developments,
being made directly to An Bord Pleanála;
n Streamlining of timelines for presenting and considering local authority own
development proposals (including social housing proposals and mixed tenure
developments on LA lands) through the Part 8 process;
n Further limited extensions of planning permissions for specified larger housing
proposals, where permissions which have yet to be built out are nearing their
expiry date;
n Enhancing certain aspects of the functioning of the residential rental sector,
including tenant rights protection issues (e.g. enabling tenants to remain in their
homes when multi-unit developments are sold), while also strengthening the
enforcement and dispute resolution powers and functions of the Residential
Tenancies Board (RTB) in respect of both landlord and tenant matters; and
n Facilitating Higher Education Institutes to borrow monies from the Housing Finance
Agency for the purposes of financing student accommodation provision.
The General Scheme of the Bill was approved by Government on 27 September 2016 and the
drafting of the Bill is at an advanced stage. The aim is to publish the Bill shortly, with a view to it being
enacted by the end of 2016.
First Quarterly Progress Report | November 2016
9
Progress Overview | continued
Consultation, Communications
and Engagement
The overall objective of the Consultation, Communication and Engagement Strategy is to ensure
that the momentum for implementation is maintained throughout the life of Rebuilding Ireland. A key
part of the successful implementation of Rebuilding Ireland will be ensuring that all stakeholders and
the wider public are fully aware of the commitments, understand the range of initiatives and actions
being rolled out and can access relevant and up-to-date information on progress. The initiatives set
out below are aimed at maintaining and updating that information flow and providing a forum or
point of contact for feedback where needed.
Rebuilding Ireland Website and Social Media
A dedicated website, www.rebuildingireland.ie, was put in place to coincide with the launch of
Rebuilding Ireland on 19 July 2016 and is being used as the central portal to report progress on
the implementation of Rebuilding Ireland and to keep the public informed of key developments
in relation to the five Pillars. A dedicated email address [email protected] has also
been set up. Social media platforms are also being used to keep the public informed of progress in
an open and accessible way.
Pillar Specific Launches
Focused launches on Addressing Homelessness (Pillar 1) and Accelerating Social Housing (Pillar 2) have
taken place on 22 September 2016 and 6 October 2016, respectively. These launches complement
the initial launch of the Action Plan and were designed to build implementation momentum by
allowing for a deeper focus on a specific pillar area, with the range of Departments/Agencies and
supporting bodies expanding and elaborating on the actions proposed and also incorporating other
views and perspectives on how the initiatives are being rolled out. Similar launches for the three
remaining pillars will take place over the coming weeks.
Regional Stakeholder Events
The delivery of new homes and improved supports and services ultimately relies on local stakeholders
– LAs, AHBs, house builders, interest and advocacy groups and others. Recognising this, Minister
Coveney, together with the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Renewal, Damien English, TD,
have embarked on a series of local authority hosted regional events, meeting with local authority
members and Chief Executives, and a wide range of local stakeholder representatives to focus on
what implementation of the Action Plan can mean for their area.
Visits to date have included Limerick (30 August), Cork City (9 September), Waterford (15 September)
and Galway (23 September) and further events will be arranged over the coming weeks and months
to reach as many regions as possible. The aim of the events is to stimulate and encourage active
involvement and early engagement by all key stakeholders at local and regional level with a view
to ensuring effective collaborative working to secure the best housing outcomes, grasping the
opportunities now available under the Rebuilding Ireland programme.
10
Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness
Progress Overview | continued
DELIVERY ON ACTIONS DUE
DURING QUARTER 3 2016
This section reports on progress on each of the 33 actions across the five pillars for which an
outcome or a deliverable was required in Quarter 3 of 2016. The summary status of each
action is given as:
Complete
where delivery is on-time and complete or ongoing
Incomplete
where delivery is behind schedule but will be
completed in the near future.
First Quarterly Progress Report | November 2016
11
Delivery on actions due during Quarter 3 2016 | continued
PILLAR ONE
Address Homelessness
Current Context
Housing authority reports for a week in September 2016 identified the following numbers of individuals
and families in receipt of State-funded emergency accommodation:
n 4,283 adult individuals;
n 1,173 families are included in this total, of which 1,014 are in the Dublin Region;
n 2,426 dependents are associated with these families;
n 6,709 people (adults and dependents) were recorded as homeless.
The increase in the overall numbers experiencing homelessness since the launch of Rebuilding Ireland
is an on-going reminder of the absolute imperative for action under this key Pillar of Rebuilding
Ireland. Rebuilding Ireland has set a very clear target on homelessness which is that, by mid-2017,
hotels will only be used for emergency accommodation in limited circumstances. It is important to
recognise that the increase is a net figure and that housing authorities have delivered more than
1,350 sustainable exits from homelessness into independent tenancies in the first 6 months of this year.
This is a record level of exits from homelessness in a six-month period that both demonstrates the
tireless efforts of local authorities to help people find more stable accommodation but also highlights
the continued high numbers of families and individuals presenting as being unable to provide
accommodation for themselves. In comparison, a total of 2,322 sustainable exits were achieved in
2015, while the 2014 figure was 2,161. It is anticipated that this year’s total exits will exceed these.
The net increase, despite record exit numbers, also highlights the imperative of increasing supply of
affordable homes to buy or rent under the other Pillars.
The Homeless Pilot of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme is playing a strong role in facilitating
the number of exits being achieved. The pilot is designed to transition homeless households from
emergency accommodation into private rented tenancies and has been operational since February
2015 across the four housing authorities in the Dublin Region. To date in 2016 (at 10th October), 530
HAP tenancies have been created for homeless households and it is clear that the 2016 target of
550 tenancies will be exceeded. The on-going rapid-build programme and the targeted property
acquisitions by the Housing Agency will also play their roles in increasing exits from homelessness as
they deliver housing later this year and throughout 2017.
12
Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness
Delivery on actions due during Quarter 3 2016 | continued
A range of supports and services for those in emergency accommodation, for both families and
individuals, are being rolled out by relevant Departments and Agencies. As well as health care,
practical supports are being put in place to support people and families until they can transition out
of emergency accommodation.
On prevention, the Tenancy Protection Service, which currently operates in the Dublin Region, the
Mid-East Region, Cork and Galway, will be extended on a national basis by the end of the year. Also,
a national awareness campaign will be rolled out in early-2017 targeted at families and individuals
worried about, or at risk of, losing their homes. The Department of Social Protection continues to
operate discretion on a case-by-case basis under its National Tenancy Sustainment Framework,
providing uplifts to the rate of rent supplement payable, where necessary, to protect tenants from the
risk of homelessness. In the region of 9,000 such uplifts have been provided by the Community Welfare
Service to date. Furthermore, the increased limits under Rent Supplement and the Housing Assistance
Payment (HAP), introduced by this Government from 1 July 2017, will contribute towards supporting
the tenancies of the existing approximately 65,000 recipients of Rent Supplement and HAP.
Delivery Status of Q3 2016 Actions
Action
No
Description of action
Objective
Timeline
& Owner
1.2
We will transition homeless
households and individuals
from emergency
accommodation through the
Dublin Region HAP Homeless
Pilot.
To provide permanent, stable
and supported housing to
our long-term homeless
individuals, and thus reduce
the reliance on emergency
accommodation over time.
Q3 / Q4 2016
DRHE
Status: Complete
530 of the 550 tenancies to be created by Q4 2016 are in place.
First Quarterly Progress Report | November 2016
13
Delivery on actions due during Quarter 3 2016 | continued
Action
No
Description of action
Objective
Timeline
& Owner
1.5
We will further strengthen
supports and initiatives
for families in emergency
accommodation to mitigate the
challenges that such parents
and children face, including:
To support homeless families
with child dependents.
2016 – 2017
Tusla,
DCYA,
HSE, DRHE,
DHPCLG
n Enhanced liaison on family
support, child welfare and
child protection, including
Family Resource Centres;
n Access to early-years
services;
n School Completion
Programmes;
n Enhanced locally
available practical
supports for daily family
life;
n Access to free public
transport for family travel
and for school journeys;
and
n Practical supports and
advice for good nutrition
for those without access to
cooking facilities.
Status: Complete
A factsheet for each Family Resource Centre has been developed and distributed. A mapping
exercise is being conducted to cross-reference the number of homeless families in an area with
the services available and the lead agency in the area. This will identify where gaps exist with a
view to improving services. Tusla will consider additional projects/services when this initial analysis
is completed.
Educational Welfare Officer [EWO] services are in a position to offer specific supports as follows:
n Home School Community Liaison [HSCL): In Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools
[DEIS] where there is a HSCL co-ordinator on the staff, the HSCL Co-ordinator is available
and proactively engages with parents who are experiencing homelessness. The HSCL coordinator also supports families to access any other supports that can be of assistance to
the family while they are homeless.
continued
14
Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness
Delivery on actions due during Quarter 3 2016 | continued
Status continued
n School Completion Programme [SCP]: Children experiencing homelessness who are at
risk of early school leaving are already targeted by SCPs. However, as target lists are
drawn up at the start of the school year, Tusla has now directed all SCPs to engage
with their schools to ensure that all children experiencing homelessness, including newly
homeless children, who are at risk of early school leaving either due to homelessness or
other circumstances, are receiving appropriate SCP supports.
n Arrangements are currently being finalised for the distribution of Leap Family
Cards for families living in hotels and also pre-loaded standard Leap Cards for
school-going children.
Action
No
Description of action
Objective
Timeline
& Owner
1.7
We will work to ensure that
young people leaving State
care and at risk of homelessness
are identified and catered for
through appropriate housing and
other supports for their needs.
To minimise homelessness
among young people leaving
State care.
2016 – 2017
DHPCLG,
DCYA, Tusla,
HSE
Status: Complete
DHPCLG has made arrangements under the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) to allow Approved
Housing Bodies to acquire residential units to accommodate young people exiting State care.
The independent living supports required will be provided through Tusla; accordingly, DCYA
and Tusla are currently engaging with the relevant AHBs in this regard and on the finalisation of
CAS proposals.
Action
No
Description of action
Objective
Timeline
& Owner
1.8
We will provide additional
emergency refuge
accommodation spaces for
victims of domestic violence
and we will provide policy and
procedural guidance to housing
authorities with regard to the role
they can play to assist victims of
domestic violence in securing
new independent tenancies.
To reduce the number of
victims becoming homeless
and the length of time spent in
emergency accommodation
arrangements.
2016 – 2017
Tusla, DCYA,
DHPCLG
Status: Complete
DCYA has made funding provision for an additional eight units of emergency accommodation
for families, which can cater for those experiencing domestic violence. DHPCLG is preparing
guidance for housing authorities on this issue for publication before year-end.
First Quarterly Progress Report | November 2016
15
Delivery on actions due during Quarter 3 2016 | continued
Action
No
Description of action
Objective
Timeline
& Owner
1.10
We will enhance inter-agency
arrangements to ensure that
accommodation, welfare and
health supports for prisoners are
in place prior to their release.
To reduce the likelihood of
released prisoners presenting as
homeless.
Q3 2016
Irish Prison
Service,
Probation
Service, LGMA,
DHPCLG, DSP,
HSE
Status: Incomplete
The Irish Prison Service has engaged with the HSE, DSP and the CCMA and an inter-agency protocol
has been developed for sign-off by all parties.
Action
No
Description of action
Objective
Timeline
& Owner
1.18
We will provide access to
independent expert legal and
financial advice for people who
are insolvent, and are in serious
mortgage arrears on their home.
To ensure that an insolvent
person who is at risk of losing
their home can access
independent advice which will
help them to identify their best
options, for returning to solvency
– with priority given to remaining
in their home, where that is a
sustainable option.
Q3 2016
DSP, jointly with
DJE,
Citizens’
Information
Board, MABS,
Insolvency
Service
Ireland, Legal
Aid Board
Status: Complete
A new Scheme of Aid and Advice for borrowers in mortgage arrears, coordinated by DSP and DJE,
commenced on 22 July 2016. MABS issued over 1,300 vouchers for access to professional financial
and legal advice and assistance to eligible borrowers up to 30 September this year. Personal
Insolvency Practitioners, Duty Solicitors and Consultation Solicitors are already participating in the
scheme, and discussions with accountancy bodies are ongoing.
Abhaile – the new national Mortgage Arrears Resolution Service - was launched jointly by the
Ministers for Justice & Equality and Social Protection on 3 October. The launch highlighted the Aid
and Advice Scheme in order to promote engagement. A Steering Group, jointly chaired by DSP
and DJE, is now in place and a communications campaign service provider is currently being
procured by the Citizens Information Board.
16
Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness
Delivery on actions due during Quarter 3 2016 | continued
First Quarterly Progress Report | November 2016
17
Delivery on actions due during Quarter 3 2016 | continued
PILLAR TWO
Accelerate Social Housing
Current Context
The Government’s clear commitment to accelerating and expanding social housing delivery can
be seen in the budget of €5.35 billion which has been provided for the delivery of 47,000 social
housing units over the lifetime of Rebuilding Ireland out to 2021. These homes will be delivered by
local authorities and AHBs through a number of different mechanisms - construction, repair and
renewal of existing housing (both public and private), regeneration of certain areas, acquisitions, as
well as various leasing arrangements.
Taking account of the commitments in the Action Plan and accelerating the delivery targets set down
in the Social Housing Strategy (November 2014), there is already significant construction of social
housing underway this year, with the expectation that 1,500 new homes will be either completed or
under construction by the end of this year, which is a substantial increase on output activity in 2015,
when only 74 homes were built.
In order to underpin an early acceleration in activity, the Budget 2017 has provided for a very
significant increase in housing funding. The overall funding for housing in 2017 will be €1.3 billion, a
39% increase on the €933m provided for this year. In making full and optimal use of the available
funding, delivering high quality homes in sustainable communities, in a value for money manner, will
be paramount.
18
Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness
Delivery on actions due during Quarter 3 2016 | continued
Delivery Status of Q3 2016 Actions
Action
No
Description of action
Objective
Timeline
& Owner
2.1
We will substantially increase
the delivery of social housing
to 47,000 homes by 2021,
with funding of €5.35 billion,
particularly focusing on new
direct-build projects by local
authorities and AHBs.
To meet the social housing
needs more quickly across the
range of programmes and
supports.
Ongoing to
2021
DHPCLG, LAs,
AHBs
Status: Complete
Efforts to significantly ramp up social housing construction nationally are taking effect. The delivery
target for 2016 through builds, acquisitions and refurbishments is 4,200 units and, on the basis of
progress to mid-year, the achievement of this target remains on track.
Action
No
Description of action
Objective
Timeline
& Owner
2.2
We will review existing current
and capital programmes on
an ongoing basis to ensure
that they are relevant and are
meeting the needs of citizens.
To accelerate the delivery of
housing and ensure that projects
are advanced efficiently and
effectively.
Ongoing to
2021
DHPCLG
Status: Complete
Work on reviewing existing current and capital programmes is on-going. Key developments in Q3
2016 include the new Repair and Leasing Scheme and the Buy and Renew Scheme, both of which
were announced at the Pillar 2 launch on 6th October.
Action
No
Description of action
Objective
Timeline
& Owner
2.5
We will put in place a Housing
Agency Fund of €70 million,
with specific focus of engaging
with banks and investment
companies, primarily private
equity funds, to acquire
properties.
To deliver some 1,600 units by
2020.
Q3 2016
DHPCLG,
Housing
Agency
Status: Complete
The Housing Agency commenced active engagement with banks and investment funds in July to
acquire vacant properties. Currently, 50 properties are being purchased and the Agency expects
to acquire or contract to acquire over 200 housing units by the end of the year. Provision has been
made in the 2017 Estimates for the continued roll out of the initiative in 2017.
First Quarterly Progress Report | November 2016
19
Delivery on actions due during Quarter 3 2016 | continued
Action
No
Description of action
Objective
Timeline
& Owner
2.6
We will ensure that resources
are made available to local
authorities and AHBs to
facilitate the purchase of
newly built private dwellings to
the fullest extent envisaged,
by Part V of the Planning and
Development Acts.
To increase social housing stock.
Q3 2016
DHPCLG, LAs,
AHBs
Status: Complete
Substantial additional Exchequer investment up to 2021 has been secured for the provision of social
housing. This includes a commitment to providing sufficient funding through the Social Housing
Current Expenditure Programme (SHCEP), the Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF) and the
Social Housing Capital Investment Programme (SHCIP). This latter funding is provided to continue
to enable both local authorities and approved housing bodies (AHBs) to purchase units that are
made available under Part V Agreements facilitated under the Planning and Development Acts.
It is anticipated that over the lifetime of the Action Plan, some 4,700 new homes will be delivered
through this mechanism.
In 2017, it is estimated that 380 units will be delivered through Part V mechanisms and the
appropriate financial resources to secure these units have been allocated as part of the budgetary
arrangements for next year.
Action
No
Description of action
Objective
Timeline
& Owner
2.8
We will support the leasing of
additional privately developed
dwellings beyond the extent
envisaged by Part V, including
the up-front purchase of the Part
V social housing requirement.
To stimulate development and
increase social housing stock.
Q3 2016
DHPCLG; LAs;
AHBs
Status: Complete
Additional exchequer investment in the period to 2021 has been secured for the provision of social
housing. This includes a commitment to providing sufficient funding through the Social Housing
Current Expenditure Programme (SHCEP) and Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF). This
funding is provided to continue to enable both local authorities and AHBs to directly lease units
from private owners and developers, or to assist AHBs to purchase housing units from a range of
sources, including directly from developers, which are then made available for social housing
though long-term lease arrangements.
An outline proposal for implementation of a scheme to provide for up-front purchase of Part
V housing is in place. A pro-forma legal agreement is being developed for utilisation by local
authorities and developers with a view to the scheme being fully operational by the end of 2016.
20
Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness
Delivery on actions due during Quarter 3 2016 | continued
Action
No
Description of action
Objective
Timeline
& Owner
2.9
A dedicated Housing Delivery
Office is being established
within DHPCLG to support
local authorities, AHBs and all
stakeholders involved in the
delivery of key elements of
the ambitious private and
social housing targets in this
Action Plan.
To accelerate and monitor
housing delivery, both private
and social, on key sites,
identify further mechanisms
to accelerate delivery, and
support the roll-out of complex
construction projects, including
identifying and resolving barriers
to delivery.
Q3 2016
DHPCLG
Status: Complete
The Housing Delivery Office was established in September with David O’Connor, former Fingal
County Manager and an architect by profession, assuming the role of HDO Director. Mr. O’Connor
has been joined in the Unit by a range of internal and external experts with extensive project
management, change management, planning and local government experience, with the aim
of providing a fresh perspective and adding value to the ongoing prioritised work to accelerate
housing delivery across the Department’s Housing and Planning Divisions. The HDO’s overarching
remit is to co-ordinate and support the accelerated delivery of housing across the social and
private sectors and tenure spectrum in an integrated and timely manner to achieve the objectives
of Rebuilding Ireland: An Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness.
Action
No
Description of action
Objective
Timeline
& Owner
2.10
The Housing Agency will
establish a Housing Procurement
Unit.
To provide a procurement
centre of excellence and
advice in support of local
authorities and AHBs in the
accelerated delivery of their
social housing programmes.
Q3 2016
DHPCLG
HA
Status: Incomplete
Following DHPCLG approval for initial staffing and resourcing arrangements, the Procurement Unit
will be fully up and running within the Housing Agency shortly. The Agency has consulted with
Directors of Housing in the Local Authorities in relation to the additional services and supports it can
provide and to discuss what services are needed. Similar discussions are to take place with AHBs.
First Quarterly Progress Report | November 2016
21
Delivery on actions due during Quarter 3 2016 | continued
Action
No
Description of action
Objective
Timeline
& Owner
2.11
We will review our processes and
procedures for approving and
advancing housing construction
projects.
To streamline and accelerate
the delivery of housing.
Q3 2016
DHPCLG, LAs
Status: Incomplete
The review of the processes and procedures for approving and advancing housing construction
projects is well advanced and will be completed shortly. It is anticipated that the report of the
review will encourage improved timeframes for advancing construction projects, through improved
ICT and communication arrangements at LA, AHB and Departmental level. It is anticipated that
the report will also encourage greater use of the one stage approval process.
Action
No
Description of action
Objective
Timeline
& Owner
2.12
We will legislate to streamline
Part 8 processes with a
particular focus on proposals
for social housing projects and
infrastructure servicing housing
development both public
and private.
To expedite the
commencement and delivery
of such housing development
schemes
Q3 2016
DHPCLG
Status: Complete
Provisions have been included in the Planning and Development (Housing and Residential
Tenancies) Bill 2016 as approved by Government on 27 September 2016, and published on the
DHPCLG website.
Action
No
Description of action
Objective
Timeline
& Owner
2.14
We will establish a dedicated
one-stop-shop within the
Housing Agency to support
AHBs, which will allow for better
coordinated delivery under
various mechanisms across all
local authority areas.
To provide for better
coordinated and strategic
delivery by AHBs under various
funding streams across all
LA areas, and enhanced
cooperation between AHBs and
local authorities to maximise
potential yield from LA lands.
Q3 2016
HA, AHBs,
DHPCLG and
LAs
Status: Incomplete
DHPCLG has approved the initial staffing and resourcing arrangements, and a dedicated support
service for AHBs will be put in place within the Housing Agency shortly.
22
Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness
Delivery on actions due during Quarter 3 2016 | continued
Action
No
Description of action
Objective
Timeline
& Owner
2.18
DHPCLG, in conjunction with
DoH, is developing policy options
for supported housing/housing
with care so that older people
have a wider range of residential
care choices available to them.
To incentivise new supported
living /assisted living
arrangements which will meet
the housing needs of certain
older people.
From Q3 2016
to 2018
DHPCLG, DoH
Status: Complete
Work has begun on developing a Policy Statement to be published in the first half of 2017. This
Policy Statement will be the first step in the broader process of ensuring that older people are
provided with appropriate accommodation suited to their needs.
Action
No
Description of action
Objective
Timeline
& Owner
2.20
We will work with the HSE and
local authorities on all issues,
including funding supports,
for housing people who
are transitioning from HSE
accommodation and for clients
of the mental health services
living in community-based
accommodation.
To support community-based
living for people with disabilities.
Ongoing
DHPCLG, HSE,
LAs
Status: Complete
DHPCLG has made provision for current funding of €1m in 2016 to support the HSE- led deinstitutionalisation programme and continues to engage closely with relevant stakeholders.
Action
No
Description of action
Objective
Timeline
& Owner
2.21
We will continue to support the
DoH and HSE in the programme
of transitioning people from
congregated settings to
community-based living
through ring-fenced housing
capital funding.
To provide €10m in 2016 to
support community-based
living for people with disabilities
in congregated settings, with
further funding for 2017 and
2018.
Continued out
to 2020
DoH, HSE,
DHPCLG
Status: Complete
DHPCLG is providing ring-fenced funding of €10 million in 2016, under the Capital Assistance
Scheme (CAS), specifically to support the HSE to accelerate its de-institutionalisation programme.
The overall funding provided in the 2017 Estimates will allow further ring-fenced funding to be
made available next year.
First Quarterly Progress Report | November 2016
23
Delivery on actions due during Quarter 3 2016 | continued
Action
No
Description of action
Objective
Timeline
& Owner
2.22
We will extend the National
Housing Strategy for People with
Disabilities (2011-2016) beyond
its timeframe of 2016 to continue
delivery on its aims.
To support community-based
living for people with disabilities.
Continued out
to 2020
DHPCLG
Status: Complete
The National Housing Strategy for People with Disabilities (2011-2016) has been re-affirmed in the
Action Plan and extended to 2020, to continue to progress its aims to ensure access for people
with disabilities to the full range of housing options which will allow them live independently in their
own homes and communities where appropriate. DHPCLG will be consulting with stakeholders on
additional actions and targets to be included for the period out to 2020.
Action
No
Description of action
Objective
Timeline
& Owner
2.23
The Housing Agency will
commission an expert,
independent review of capital/
current funding for travellerspecific accommodation to
date, having regard to targets
contained in the LA Traveller
Accommodation Programmes
(TAPs) and actual units
delivered, the current status
of accommodation funded
and funding provided for
accommodation maintenance
and other supports.
To provide factual information,
analysis and identification of
particular challenges, as a key
platform to undertake an audit
in 2017 of implementation and
delivery of the TAPs, with a
focus on appropriate supply of
accommodation.
Q3 2016 Review to
commence
HA, DHPCLG
Status: Complete
The review itself has been tendered, a successful bidder has been identified and contracts have
been signed. Work on the review has commenced.
24
Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness
Delivery on actions due during Quarter 3 2016 | continued
First Quarterly Progress Report | November 2016
25
PILLAR THREE
Build More Homes
Current Context
While the supply of housing is increasing, Pillar 3 seeks to accelerate that increase to make up the
shortfall in supply as quickly as possible to get to the national supply level of 25,000 new homes by
2021 or earlier, if possible. Ensuring a smooth and steady supply of development land and planning
permission to build on that land, so that housing providers can also plan ahead effectively is the key
to achieving the objectives under Pillar 3 and to that end, delivery of its objectives for Quarter 4 2016
is underway.
Firstly, over 21 local authorities have applied for funding under the €200m Local Infrastructure Housing
Activation Fund (LIHAF) seeking to open up more of the 17,434 hectares of land for development
that the planning process has identified nationally for housing, 2,654 hectares of which are in Dublin.
These applications will be assessed and relevant local authorities advised of their allocations before
the year end with €50m anticipated to be spent in 2017. In addition, local authorities have been
empowered to borrow their €50m share of the €200m LIHAF funding from low-cost Housing Finance
Agency funding.
On the land supply side, relevant Government Departments, State bodies and local authorities are
being contacted about lands in their ownership and/or control that may be suitable for housing
development, in connection with the development of a national web-based database of State lands
that could be used to enable sufficient supply of reasonably priced and well located development
lands for both public and private housing. To make progress quickly, the survey of State development
lands will focus on Dublin and the main cities and urban areas with a view to having a draft map in
Quarter 1 2017 and extending the approach to other regions thereafter.
Finally, skills deficits are being addressed through the National Skills Bulletin which is feeding in to the
SOLAS/Educational Training Board service planning exercises in ramping up the delivery of training
across a range of non-apprenticeship areas.
26
Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness
Delivery on actions due during Quarter 3 2016 | continued
Delivery Status of Q3 2016 Actions
Action
No
Description of action
Objective
Timeline
& Owner
3.1
We will establish a €200m Local
Infrastructure Housing Activation
Fund, seeking bids from local
authorities in conjunction with
housing providers in respect of
enabling infrastructure for social,
affordable rental and private
housing delivery on large-scale
strategic sites, with the potential
to open up lands and deliver
housing of the order of 15,000 to
20,000 units by 2019.
To relieve critical infrastructural
blockages to enable the
delivery of housing on key
development sites.
To improve the economic
viability and purchaser
affordability of new housing
projects.
Q3 2016 – Call
for proposals
DHPCLG
Status: Complete
A call for proposals under LIHAF issued to local authorities on 26 August 2016 with a closing date
for submissions of 14 October 2014. LIHAF proposals have now been received from 21 local
authorities, working in conjunction with housing providers including private developers and home
builders and/or Approved Housing Bodies. Proposals will now be evaluated and assessed in line
with the criteria set down in the call for proposals with the intention of successful bid proposals
being announced in quarter 4 of 2016.
Action
No
Description of action
Objective
Timeline
& Owner
3.3
The National Treasury
Management Agency, through
ISIF, will develop proposals to
offer competitive financing on a
commercial basis, to developers
or consortia of developers,
to meet on-site and other
infrastructure requirements on
large development sites.
To facilitate the delivery of
on-site infrastructure releasing
the delivery of housing on key
development sites, thereby
improving the economic viability
of such developments.
Q3 – Q4 2016
NTMA
Status: Complete
ISIF is exploring opportunities to support the delivery of housing-related enabling infrastructure
in large scale priority development areas with a view to kick-starting the development process,
provided such financing can be structured on the basis of appropriate risk and a commercial
return for the risks taken. Two distinct initiatives are being advanced, one with a private sector
partner and one with a local government partner. ISIF is confident of making significant progress
on both initiatives during Q4 and aims to use the structures developed as templates for potential
further investments.
First Quarterly Progress Report | November 2016
27
Delivery on actions due during Quarter 3 2016 | continued
Action
No
Description of action
Objective
Timeline
& Owner
3.4
We will identify and prioritise the
15-20 key pathfinder sites with
a proven capability to quickly
deliver a significant scaling-up
of new homes, in conjunction
with local authorities and other
stakeholders. Many of these
sites will be opened up through
LIHAF funds, and other funding
and coordination mechanisms.
To deliver significant scale of
new homes on key sites in the
main urban areas, through
coordinated efforts of the
DHPCLG’s new Housing Delivery
Office.
Q3 2016 - key
sites identified.
DHPCLG, LAs,
AHBs
Status: Complete
A total of 15 sites across the four Dublin local authorities have been identified as the first tranche of
strategic housing development locations, where there is capacity to significantly ramp up housing
output. Engagement with LAs in the other major urban areas to identify and track progress in these
areas is also well advanced.
Action
No
Description of action
Objective
Timeline
& Owner
3.6
We will legislate to enable
larger housing development
applications (100+ units) to
be made directly to An Bord
Pleanála and to extend certain
planning permissions that have
already benefited from one
extension for a further period
To fast-track large-scale
residential development
planning applications.
Q3 - Q4 2016
DHPCLG,
ABP
Status: Complete
Provision for this has been included in the Planning and Development (Housing and Residential
Tenancies) Bill 2016 as approved by Government on 27 September 2016.
28
Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness
Delivery on actions due during Quarter 3 2016 | continued
Action
No
Description of action
Objective
Timeline
& Owner
3.7
An Bord Pleanála will prioritise
the determination of all planning
appeals in relation to largescale housing developments
within the 18-week statutory
objective period.
To minimise delays to
the consideration and
determination of large housing
developments.
Q3 2016
Status: Complete
Developments of over 30 units are currently being prioritised for decision. To date, all standard appeals
have been decided within the statutory compliance time of 18 weeks, with the exception of a small
number of cases (3) where particular complexities arose. ABP will continue to prioritise housing cases.
Action
No
Description of action
Objective
Timeline
& Owner
3.8
We will develop and publish
an Implementation Plan to
prioritise implementation of key
recommendations within the An
Bord Pleanála review.
To enable An Bord Pleanála to
more effectively carry out its
mandate.
Q3 2016
Status: Incomplete
A high-level Implementation Group, with senior representatives of both the DHPCLG and ABP, has
been established to oversee the implementation of the Review Group recommendations, some
of which require legislative underpinning. Two meetings of the Implementation Group have been
held to date. On foot of these meetings, an outline implementation plan in relation to the Review
Group recommendations is being developed with a view to publication in November.
Action
No
Description of action
Objective
Timeline
& Owner
3.11
We will establish a competition
to champion best practice,
efficient and cost effective
design and new approaches
to both affordable and quality
residential delivery.
To develop innovative systems
for the delivery of affordable
high quality residential
development.
Q3/4 2016
Status: Complete
The brief for the competition is under development.
considered for their suitability.
A number of sites are currently being
First Quarterly Progress Report | November 2016
29
Delivery on actions due during Quarter 3 2016 | continued
30
Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness
Delivery on actions due during Quarter 3 2016 | continued
PILLAR FOUR
Improve the Rental Sector
Current Context
A comprehensive strategy for the rental sector is being developed with an internal DHCPLG project
working group meeting fortnightly to progress matters. Public consultation began on the 20th of
October, with the strategy set to be finalised and published in Quarter 4 2016.
Legislative amendments to deal with circumstances where properties are sold with tenants in situ
and to address the RTB’s enforcement and dispute resolution powers are included in the Planning
and Development (Housing and Residential Tenancies) Bill 2016, approved by Government on 27
September 2016. Provision is also included to enable large scale investment projects, including
student accommodation, to go straight to An Bord Pleanála.
The current minimum standards for rental accommodation specify requirements in relation to a range
of matters, including, structural repair, sanitary facilities, heating, ventilation, natural light, safety
of gas and electrical supply. To ensure that these standards reflect the requirements of a modern
rental market, a review has been initiated and new draft regulations are being finalised and will be
concluded in Quarter 4, 2016.
Work is well advanced in developing the Affordable Rental Scheme with proposals being brought to
Government in November with a view to offering to the market before the end of the current year. It
is envisaged that these rental properties will commence coming on stream in 2017.
Work on developing a comprehensive database of publicly owned lands in key developable areas
is currently underway with a view to identifying land suitable for housing development which can be
made available to support co-ordinated, mixed-tenure development.
Funding for a Student Housing Officer to work with the Union of Students in Ireland has been agreed
for 2016 with a commitment to examine future funding needs going forward. Discussions between
the DES and D/PER have commenced to examine ways Institutes of Technology can be facilitated
in developing on-campus student accommodation through addressing borrowing capacity and
funding constraints. The database of publicly owned lands will also inform the scope for provision of
additional student accommodation.
First Quarterly Progress Report | November 2016
31
Delivery on actions due during Quarter 3 2016 | continued
Delivery Status of Q3 2016 Actions
Action
No
Description of action
Objective
Timeline
& Owner
4.6
We will introduce a new
affordable rental scheme
to enhance the capacity
of the private rented sector
to provide quality and
affordable accommodation
for households currently paying
a disproportionate amount of
disposable income on rent.
To provide long-term affordable
residential accommodation
for low to moderate income
key-worker households in urban
areas of high demand and
provide an economic incentive
to increase supply of rental
accommodation.
Q3 2016
Status: Incomplete
Work is well advanced in developing the scheme and proposals are expected to be submitted
to Government in November 2016. Subject to the finalisation of the scheme by Government and
market uptake thereafter, the scheme is expected to deliver at least 2,000 rental properties over a
range of projects over the course of 2017/2018.
Action
No
Description of action
Objective
Timeline
& Owner
4.10
We will help to fund a Student
Housing Officer to work with
the Union of Students in Ireland,
local authorities, AHBs and
housing providers, to identify
and expand short-term capacity
enhancing measures in the
student accommodation sector.
To assist students in finding
appropriate accommodation.
Q3 2016
Status: Complete
DHPCLG has provided the funding for the Student Housing Officer who has been recruited by USI.
DES, through the Higher Education Authority, has also provided funding to USI in 2016 to support their
homes.usi.ie project and are in discussions with USI regarding further funding for this project in 2017.
32
Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness
Delivery on actions due during Quarter 3 2016 | continued
Action
No
Description of action
Objective
Timeline
& Owner
4.13
We will enable student
accommodation projects for
100 units or more to go straight
to An Bord Pleanála, as well
as maximise the opportunities
for joint venture projects on
local authority sites to proceed
through the Part 8 process
and prepare guidance on
planning policies around student
accommodation developments.
To enhance certainty and
reduce delivery timescales and
costs associated with bringing
student accommodation
proposals forward.
Q3/Q4 2016
Status: Complete
Provision is included in the Planning and Development (Housing and Residential Tenancies) Bill
2016 as approved by Government on 27 September 2016.
First Quarterly Progress Report | November 2016
33
Delivery on actions due during Quarter 3 2016 | continued
34
Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness
Delivery on actions due during Quarter 3 2016 | continued
PILLAR FIVE
Utilise Existing Housing
Current Context
While Rebuilding Ireland places a strong emphasis on the provision of increased new housing supply
in respect of both private and social housing to meet current demand, a further key objective of the
Action Plan is to ensure that the existing housing stock is used to the maximum degree.
Preliminary results from the 2016 Census indicate that almost 200,000 dwellings nationwide – excluding
holiday homes and derelict houses – were recorded as vacant. A particular focus in this regard
is to achieve greater utilisation of vacant properties – both residential and commercial – with a
view to bringing such vacant units back into productive use for social and private housing purposes.
Through a range of initiatives and targeted policy reforms, harnessing the potential of these houses
can contribute to the overall objective of increasing housing supply quickly to meet demand, while
simultaneously helping to breathe new life and vitality into the streets, residential and rural areas in
which they are located.
Having regard to this extent of vacancy, there is clear potential for the more efficient and effective
utilisation of existing vacant properties so that they are put into the most productive and appropriate
use in the interests of the common good. Importantly, the Central Statistics Office has indicated that
more detailed information and categorisation of vacant properties will be available in the Housing
Specific Report from Census 2016 which is being prioritised for finalisation by April 2017. Pillar 5 of the
Action Plan contains a comprehensive range of measures and mechanisms which are aimed at
achieving this overall objective.
Choice Based Letting for social housing is a much more efficient and effective way for local authorities
to interact with people on the housing list. Prospective tenants are able to actively select properties
that they are interested in through a web portal. This is a great way to minimize refusals and to offer
better customer choice. By using CBL South Dublin County Council had the lowest reported refusal
rate for social housing at 5% while in some local authority areas refusals were running at 40% or higher.
First Quarterly Progress Report | November 2016
35
Delivery on actions due during Quarter 3 2016 | continued
Delivery Status of Q3 2016 Actions
Action
No
Description of action
Objective
Timeline
& Owner
5.4
We will introduce and
implement as early as possible
across all local authorities a
choice-based or equivalent
allocation system, tailored to
their specific circumstances.
To allocate social housing
in a more efficient manner
that offers more choice and
involvement for applicant
households in selecting a new
home, thereby reducing the
likelihood of refusal.
Q3 2016
Status: Complete
On 30 September 2016, the Social Housing Allocation (Amendment) Regulations 2016 (S.I No. 503
of 2016) were made, requiring every housing authority to provide for a choice-based letting (CBL)
procedure in their housing allocation schemes by the end of the year at the latest.
Action
No
Description of action
Objective
Timeline
& Owner
5.14
We will progress a National
Taking-In-Charge Initiative with
€10 million funding from DHPCLG
in 2016 coupled to bond and
local authority funding.
To accelerate the taking-incharge process of over 1,500
estates, supported by wider
legislative reform of the TIC
process.
Q3 2016
Status: Complete
€10 million has been made available in 2016 to fund the National Taking in Charge Initiative (NTICI)
that will assist local authorities in developing new approaches to addressing housing estates,
including those with developer-provided water services infrastructure that, for various reasons,
have not been taken in charge to date.
In July, following consideration of submissions put forward by local authorities, €9 million was
allocated to assist in the process of taking in charge of 356 developments (accounting for over
17,000 households). In addition to the €9m allocation, almost €4.5m of funding will be sourced by
local authorities through bonds and other sources.
36
Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness
Delivery on actions due during Quarter 3 2016 | continued
First Quarterly Progress Report | November 2016
37
LOOKING FORWARD –
THE NEXT QUARTER
Delivery targets on 51 actions across the five pillars fall due (in full or in part) during the final quarter
of 2016. This includes the six targets reported as delayed in respect of Quarter 3 of 2016 which are
now expected during Quarter 4. The following are some of the key developments expected to take
place across the different Pillars between now and the end of the year that will have a significant
and sustained impact on housing output.
Pillar 1: Address Homelessness
Housing Provision and Homelessness Prevention
Early solutions to homelessness, through increasing the supply of homes and preventing future
homelessness by supporting persons to stay in their existing homes, are a key and urgent priority
under Rebuilding Ireland. This is demonstrated by the frontloading of actions under Pillar 1, 14 of which
are to be delivered in Quarter 4 of 2016. Continued progress will be made on the additional social
housing supply being delivered through the expanded Rapid Delivery programme (see below); the
Housing Agency initiative to acquire 1,600 vacant housing units will advance, the nationwide roll-out
of the Tenant Protection Service, and other actions under this Pillar during Quarter 4 will be crucial to
the successful turnaround of the homelessness challenge.
Rapid-Build Housing Programme
This programme is being pursued to mitigate the issues associated with inappropriate hotel
arrangements and to expedite social housing supply. The first 22 Rapid Build units were delivered
earlier this year and are now tenanted. The learning and experience gained from procuring these
units is now being applied within the expanded Rapid Building Housing Programme which will see
more than 320 homes either under construction or complete by end-2016. Sites for a further 200
homes have also been identified and work is ongoing to identify sites for a further 500 homes to be
constructed during 2017. A reformed procurement process will also be finalised in Q4, through which
local authorities and approved housing bodies will be able to procure contractors quickly.
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Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness
Pillar 2: Accelerate Social Housing
Housing Assistance Payment
The further rollout of the Housing Assistance Payment to all remaining local authorities other than
those in Dublin is on track for delivery during Quarter 4.
Social Housing Output
Social housing output during 2016 will have significantly increased, albeit from a very low base,
compared with output during 2015 and significant further foundations for sustained increases in
social housing supply over the next four years will have been put in place, building on the significant
additional resources secured in Budget 2017. By the end of the year we expect to have over 1,500
homes for social housing tenants either completed or under construction, with a pipeline of new
schemes to further expand output during 2017. In 2016, more than 1,500 units across 100 sites will be
completed or under construction. In 2017, more than 2,300 additional units will be completed or
under construction
Pillar 3: Build More Homes
Legislation
The Planning and Development (Housing and Residential Tenancies) Bill 2016 will be published and
the aim will be to secure Oireachtas time to allow all stages of the legislative process to be completed
by end 2016. This will enable large-scale housing development proposals to be submitted directly to
An Bord Pleanála from early next year, as well as introducing other important streamlining of planning
processes, and new tenant protection measures.
Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund
Funding decisions on projects approved for LIHAF funding will be announced before the end of the
year, paving the way for significant enabling infrastructure works on key strategic sites around our
major urban areas, involving privately owned and mixed tenure developments to commence in
earnest in 2017.
First Quarterly Progress Report | November 2016
39
Looking forward – the next quarter | continued
Pillar 4: Improve the Rental Sector
Rental Sector Strategy
The Rental Sector Strategy, which is on track to be finalised and published by the end of this year, will
provide a vision for the development of a stable, strong and viable rental sector offering true choice
for households, investment opportunities for providers and reflecting the rights and responsibilities of
tenants and landlords. The Strategy will be underpinned by an action plan centred around the the
four critical areas of security, supply, standards and services. Following a stakeholder consultation
event in Dublin on 20 October 2016, written submissions on policy matters relevant to the rental sector
may be made up to 7 November 2016, and will be taken into account in shaping and finalising the
Strategy.
Pillar 5: Utilise Existing Housing
Repair and Leasing Scheme
This Scheme will assist local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies to bring vacant private
houses into social housing use, providing homes for families on local authority waiting lists. On foot
of a pilot exercise in Carlow and Waterford, arrangements will be made for its roll-out on a national
basis. Budgetary provision of €140m over the next five years has been secured for this Scheme
which has the potential to bring 3,500 vacant houses back into productive use between now
and 2021.
Buy and Renew Scheme
This scheme, with an initial capital provision of €25m for 2017, will see support being provided to local
authorities and Approved Housing Bodies to purchase private housing units in need of remediation,
and renovate them with the aim of making them available for social housing use.
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Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness
GLOSSARY OF TERMS
ABP
AHB
CAS
CALF
CBL
CCMA
CLSS
DAHRRGA
DCYA
DES
DoF
DHPCLG
DoH
DJE
DPER
DRHE
DSP
GDA HA
HAP
HEIs
HFA
HSE
ISIF
LAs
LGMA
LIHAF
MABS
NAMA
NPF
NTMA
OPW
Part V
Part 8
RAPID
RIAI
SHCEP
TAPs
TIC
An Bord Pleanála
Approved Housing Body
Capital Assistance Scheme
Capital Advance Leasing Facility
Choice-based letting
County and City Management Association
Capital Loan and Subsidy Scheme
Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs
Department of Children and Youth Affairs
Department of Education and Skills
Department of Finance
Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government
Department of Health
Department of Justice and Equality
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
Dublin Region Homeless Executive
Department of Social Protection
Greater Dublin Area
Housing Agency
Housing Assistance Payment
Higher Education Institutions
Housing Finance Agency
Health Service Executive
Ireland Strategic Investment Fund
Local Authorities
Local Government Management Agency
Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund
Money Advice and Budgeting Service
National Asset Management Agency
National Planning Framework
National Treasury Management Agency
Office of Public Works
Part V of the Planning and Development Acts 2000-2015
Part 8 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001- 2015
Revitalising Areas through Planning, Investment and Development
Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland
Social Housing Current Expenditure Programme
Traveller Accommodation Programmes
Taking in Charge
First Quarterly Progress Report | November 2016
41
NOTES
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Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness
NOTES
First Quarterly Progress Report | November 2016
43
NOTES
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Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness