A NORTHSIDE councillor said he is
“shocked
? after being informed that of 484 properties identified by NAMA for social housing in Dublin, only 64 may be delivered.
North Inner City ward councillor Nial Ring (Ind) sought the information in a question to the Dublin City Manager.
However, it was announÂced earlier this month that a new NAMA-controlled company has been set up to fast-track the provision of social homes.
NAMA Asset Residential Property Services Ltd was incorporated last month to acquire vacant properties from NAMA debtors for use by local authorities and housing associations.
The city manager said that in January, NAMA, through the housing agency, forwarded a list of 484 properties in Dublin city to be considered for social housing.
“Dublin City Council identified 242 of the properties as being suitable for social housing and informed the housing agency accordingly,
? he stated.
“The housing agency then provided NAMA with this list of suitable properties.
“The next step in the process was for NAMA to contact the relevant property owner/receiver to determine if the properties are still available and to discuss how they can be best utilised.
“NAMA have confirmed that 178 of the properties are no longer available.
“Negotiations are ongoing between NAMA and property owners/receivers of the available properties as to the utilisation of these properties for social housing.
?
The city manager added:
“It is expected that the majority of the properties will be secured through leasing arrangements in accordance with the Social Housing Leasing Initiative.
?
Cllr Ring was critical of the figures.
“Last December, Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan, announced that NAMA had agreed to make 2,000 homes available to local authorities for social housing.
“Such was the certainty of the scheme that he was able to list the number being made to each local authority,
? he told Northside People.
“Dublin City Council’s allocation was to be 484 units.
“I cannot understand how 242 of these units were rejected by the council as being unsuitable.
“There are thousands of people on the housing list who would deem any type of accommodation as suitable.
“NAMA have obtained most of their housing for less than half their book value and it makes economic sense that all these units are occupied and producing a rent roll – it’s simple maths.
?
Cllr Ring said he intends to ask the city council, NAMA and Minister Hogan to review and clarify the issue.
?
Meanwhile, Dublin North West TD Dessie Ellis (SF) criticised NAMA’s dedicated company to fast-track the provision of social homes.
“The major flaw in this approach is that it effectively means that social housing will be privatised,
? he stated.
“It seems as if the local authority is trying to off-load social housing and I fear that this will adversely affect those who avail of social housing from here on in.
?