Laois County Council intends to deliver 612 new homes over 2022 and 2023.
This detail was unveiled by Chief Executive John Mulholland at Monday’s Council Budget meeting.
The Council’s current housing programme is on course to deliver over 1,092 homes in the period 2016 to end of 2021.
This is well in excess of the targets set by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government over the same period.
Tje Council’s housing department are trying to deliver a blend of direct build, leasing, turnkey, Housing Assistance Payment, RAS, Part V (10 percent social, 10 percent affordable) and affordable housing.
In addition, over the period 2017 to 2021, the Council will have assisted over 1,661 applicants, cumulatively, to source and secure accommodation through HAP by the end of the year.
Accordingly, the Local Authority is on course to provide solutions to the housing needs of 2,752 families in the 6 year period to the end of 2021.
While Chief Executive Mulholland also said that, at the current rate of progress, it is expected that the Council will oversee the delivery of 612 new homes in the next two years at a number of locations throughout Laois – 296 in 2022 and 316 in 2023.
He said: “The provision of new social housing and accommodation remains, as ever, a top priority for Laois County Council for 2022 and thereafter.
“The Council’s strategy and action plan for the delivery of social and affordable housing for the next five years will align fully with “Housing for All, A new Housing Plan for Ireland”, launched by Government in early September 2021.
“While the capital investment in the provision of social housing is contained in the Council’s Capital Programme, the revenue budget plays a significant part in the delivery and support of social housing under the seven pathways of “Housing for All” 2022 to 2026.”
Mr Mulholland also outlined the areas of housing that the Council will look at intesenly over the next year.
He said: “Members should also note that the Council has used its powers under Compulsory Purchase on 22 occasions to secure abandoned or derelict homes.
“This facet of the Council’s housing activity is set to be expanded in 2022 so that many more derelict buildings can be examined and acquired for refurbishment using enhanced CPO procedure as appropriate.
“There will also be the provision of more homes to accommodate smaller family units and single person applicants reflecting the fact that nearly 73% of those on our housing list are in that category.
“While there will also be the acquisition by agreement or through Compulsory purchase of derelict residential units suitable for the delivery of social housing through the Vacant Homes Office.
“And we will work closely with Approved Housing bodies in the delivery of more homes with particular emphasis on sites capable of urban regeneration,.
“We will also prepare a number of plans for consideration as serviced sites.
“In the area of preventing homelessness, the Council continues to prioritise this matter and expenditure of €554,000 is provided for this purpose in 2022.
“The Rental Accommodation Scheme, the HAP Scheme and Long-Term Leases remain important sources of housing provision with expenditure recoupable from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.
“The 2022 Revenue Budget provides €3,665,000 for the maintenance and improvement of its approximately 2,350 housing units. This represents an increase of €1,102,500 over the past 5 years.”
SEE ALSO – Where the money is spent: How Laois County Council intends to spend €89 million in 2022
