MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
Monday, November 10, 2014
QUESTION NO.20
QUESTION: Councillor F. Timmons
To ask the Chief Executive to provide a list of all NAMA owned buildings and property/land in SDCC and to identify what could be used as accommodation for Homeless and also to outline any plans for these buildings and property/Land?
REPLY:
South Dublin County Council is committed to delivering better outcomes for our homeless population within the County. To this end the Council is currently examining the feasibility as well as funding options for the establishment of an additional Supported Temporary Accommodation (STA) Facility similar to that currently in operation in the Tallaght Area. A report on this matter will be brought to the Housing, Social & Community Development SPC later this year.
A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) was established by NAMA for leasing of properties with the priority of the Minister for Environment Community and Local Government placed on the securing of as many NAMA sourced units as possible for the purposes of social housing in 2013.
The special purpose vehicle (the National Asset Residential Property Services Limited – NARPS) was established to facilitate NAMA’s commitment to provide residential properties for social housing purposes and to speed up the rate of delivery of those properties. Following the establishment of NARPS a process was initiated in respect of developing a standard suite of legal documents that could be used in all leasing arrangements between NARPS and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) or local authorities.
A meeting was held 28/8/13 with NAMA representatives to discuss sites within the county proposed by NAMA for social use..
The sites proposed were:
Aylmer Heath, Newcastle
Tallaght Cross West
St Edmunds, Liffey Valley
College Square, Terenure
Aylmer
During the course of discussions with NAMA, the Council was advised of opportunities to purchase housing at good rates in Aylmer. The Council subsequently in conjunction with NAMA and the developer explored both purchase and lease of units on the site for social use.
However during the course of Council inspection, issues arose in relation to construction standards which prevented the Council from continuing with acquisitions
Tallaght Cross West
The Council has confirmed to NAMA its interest in securing under lease arrangements a selected number of completed units within the development in tandem with completion and occupancy of the overall development. All such acquisitions for social use to be duly considered in accordance with the framework of the Tallaght Master Plan.
St Edmunds, Liffey Valley
NAMA referred to incomplete block of 120 units. The Council have confirmed to NAMA an interest in acquiring completed units on site under lease arrangements for social use. The number of units to be further agreed in the interests of sustainability and good social mix with due regard to existing unsold affordable units within the development which are currently in social use.
College Square, Terenure
The unit type within this development is not generally suitable for social accommodation. Subsequent to meeting with NAMA, agreement was reached with the developer in conjunction with NAMA to secure a financial contribution under Part V arrangements in lieu of delivery of on-site units. These receipts will be ring fenced for housing purposes.
It should be noted that major works are ongoing at Tallaght Cross.
