Agenda and draft minutes

Agreed: Minutes Agreed

i.           Correspondence

i.           Correspondence

Agreed: Tenant In-Situ correspondence to be circulated to members

The following themes were discussed;

·         Demographic Change/The Challenge

·         Age Friendly Ireland Shared Service

·         Housing Policy updates

·         Suite of nine documents launch

·         Dublin City Council (DCC) Annual Report Grant Scheme

·         Age Friendly Housing Technical Advisor

·         Draft Dublin City Development Plan 2022-2028

·         Minimum sized home compared to a Universal Design (UD) home

·         New housing in existing suburbs challenge

·         Build to Rent

·         Housing Adaptation Grants

·         Standard Modification

·         Under-utilised Housing

Agreed: Presentation noted

The following themes were discussed;

•           Agenda Thematic topics

•           Delivery Stream activity consultation with Local Area Committees

•           Housing targets & Output figures

•           Housing For All plan review – Practical Implementation

•           Competitive Dialogue

•           Expression of Interest/Tender flexibility

•           Funding

•           Target/Plans & DCC remaining Land Banks

•           Acquisitions

Agreed: Dept. of Housing, Local Government and Heritage consultation update with regard to Cost Rental and Affordable Housing figures shall be provided at a future SPC

Agreed: Housing Delivery Reform update to be included on a future agenda

1.    Report on Homelessness & 7iii Special Committee on Homelessness

The following themes were discussed;

·         Current HAP rates & potential unintended consequences if the threshold was increased

·         Quality Standards Framework & Inspections

·         Tender for inspections

·         New Action Plan

·         Households exiting homelessness & solutions/strategies

·         Timeframe processing Housing Applications

·         HAP Tenures/Tenancy Types

·         National Homeless Action Committee initiatives

·         Cost Rental

Agreed: Discuss agenda points 5 & 7iii simultaneously

6.    Report on Housing Allocations & 8. Motion in the name of the Lord Mayor Cllr Alison Gilliland

The Housing SPC recognises the importance of our housing waiting lists working as effectively and efficiently as possible for those who qualify for social housing. Since the introduction of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme, Dublin City Council has sought to ensure that those in receipt of HAP are not disadvantaged in terms of waiting time for social housing.

Applicants who avail of social housing support through the HAP scheme are placed on the transfer list in line with s.37, Part 4 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2014 “the provision of housing assistance under this Part shall be deemed to be an appropriate form of social housing support for a household that is determined by a housing authority to be qualified for such support”.

The transfer list has ceased operating effectively and has caused frustration for HAP applicants and for social housing transfer list applicants given the constant 'moving' of one's place on the list. Therefore the Housing SPC agrees to a review of the current approach to providing an effective waiting list approach for those in receipt of HAP with a view to making it more effective.

The Lord Mayor explained the context of the motion.

The following themes were discussed under agenda points 6 & 8;

The following themes were discussed;

·         Housing Assistant Payment (HAP) process

·         Medical Priority & suitable accommodation

·         Right Sizing & Life Cycle Housing Development

·         Allocation statistic breakdown

·         Transfer List/Clear account

·         Legislation constraints

·         Choice Based Lettings process and consultation

·         Surrender larger accommodation option

·         Potential Working Group establishment

Agreed: Discuss agenda points 6 & 8 simultaneously

Agreed: Allocations to circulate detailed annual Lettings report to sectoral Housing SPC members.

Agreed: Motion agreed & a small working group to be set up to examine the issues.

Verbal Update

Public Housing Working Group

Agreed: N/A

Verbal Update

Senior Citizens Working Group Update

Cllr Mary Freehill provided members with meetings & strategy update

Agreed: Update noted

Special Committee on Homelessness

Agreed: Discuss agenda points 5 & 7iii simultaneously

Verbal Update

Oversight Committee on Animal Welfare Issues

Cllr Deirdre Heney provided members update

Agreed: Update noted

The Housing SPC recognises the importance of our housing waiting lists working as effectively and efficiently as possible for those who qualify for social housing. Since the introduction of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme, Dublin City Council has sought to ensure that those in receipt of HAP are not disadvantaged in terms of waiting time for social housing.

Applicants who avail of social housing support through the HAP scheme are placed on the transfer list in line with s.37, Part 4 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2014 “the provision of housing assistance under this Part shall be deemed to be an appropriate form of social housing support for a household that is determined by a housing authority to be qualified for such support”.

The transfer list has ceased operating effectively and has caused frustration for HAP applicants and for social housing transfer list applicants given the constant 'moving' of one's place on the list. Therefore the Housing SPC agrees to a review of the current approach to providing an effective waiting list approach for those in receipt of HAP with a view to making it more effective.

Agreed: Discuss agenda points 6 & 8 simultaneously

Agreed: Motion agreed & a small working group to be set up to examine the issues.

              i.                2022 SPC Work Plan

Agreed: Choice Based Lettings report shall be circulated to members