22/12/2011

2,000 New Homes For Social Housing Lists

The Department of Environment and the National Asset Management Agency (Nama) have agreed 2,000 homes will be made available in 2012 to people on social housing lists.

The homes will be made available through leasing agreements with Local Authorities and volunteering housing associations.

A statement from the Department of the Environment said the decision will provide hope for individuals and families on social housing lists throughout the country on getting a new home provided by the State from properties already built but not being utilised.

Minister Hogan and former Minister for Housing, Willie Penrose said they had put considerable pressure on Nama in 2011 to achieve a greater social dividend in the housing area.

The agreement also includes a commitment to put more housing units on the market, more money to finish projects pending and designated staff to manage legal and other problems that might be associated with completing transactions.

Minister Hogan said: "I welcome the decision by NAMA to co-operate fully with the request I made last September to engage with the Department of Environment to deliver more social housing units to the people who are on existing housing waiting lists.

"The agreement to provide 2,000 units is one of the largest housing allocations made in the history of the State and is a welcome Christmas boost to those most vulnerable in society."

(DW)

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