RAS and HAP properties acquired by the council

THERE were seven Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) and Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) properties acquired by the housing department in South Dublin County Council in 2022.

Councillor Derren Ó Brádaigh asked South Dublin County Council management to list the number of properties acquired by housing procurement with tenants in situ in 2022.

Part of the question, which was raised at the Lucan/Palmerstown/North Clondalkin area committee meeting, was to indicate whether they were HAP or RAS properties.

In response to the question, the council detailed that the acquisition of properties is funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH).

“The Council’s delegated authority allowed the purchase of properties to meet priority needs (e.g., medical needs etc.), to exit households from homelessness, and to acquire specific property types/sizes reflecting local needs,” the local authority said.

“Our scope for acquisitions has recently been extended to include increased flexibility on the purchase of properties with HAP/RAS tenants in situ who are at risk of homelessness due to Notices to Quit.”

Potential acquisitions are limited by DHLGH cost limits and prioritised on how imminent the risk of homelessness is, together with the specific households needs – while alternative accommodation options are pursued by the council.

Properties need to be valued and inspected prior to negotiation or agreement on the sale price and following the completion of the processes, a council tenancy will be put in place.

Throughout 2022, there was a total of seven purchases made with HAP or RAS “tenants in situ completed or agreed in 2022”.

According to South Dublin County Council, as stated on January 24, there are several additional potential purchases being examined presently.

It was also revealed recently that the council is currently reviewing all expressions of interest from property owners and landlords wishing to sell their property to the authority.

Property owners and landlords “will be notified of a decision in due course”.