HOUSING

It is the policy of the Housing Section of Carlow County Council:

• To enable every household to have available an affordable dwelling of good quality, suited to its needs, in a good environment and as far as possible at a tenure of their choice.
• To promote home ownership and a thriving more diverse and well managed rented sector, both public and private.
• To maintain the living and construction standards of all properties to a high standard
• To liaise with our tenants and social partners to ensure that present and future requirements are expedited.

Carlow County Council's activities as a Housing Authority can be summarised under the following headings:

• The provision, management and maintenance of rented Social Housing
• The review and update of social housing demand
• The provision of self-help grants to enable tenants carry out improvements to their homes
• The promotion of home ownership by encouraging the housing procurement alternatives (mortgage allowance, home loans etc.)
• The improvement of accommodation, for both the elderly and disabled persons, by way of grant assistance under Housing Adaptation Grants for People with a Disability, Mobility Aids Grants and Housing Aid for Older People Grants.
• The provision and management of accommodation for vulnerable groups
• The facilitation of approved voluntary and non-profit housing organisations in the provision of housing and communal facilities.
• Operation of Rental Accommodation Scheme/Leasing schemes and the Housing Assistance Payment for social housing provision.
• Operation of the Mortgage to Rent Scheme.

Housing & Social Policy Strategic Policy Committee

The Housing, Recreation, Amenity and Community Strategic Policy Committee continued to meet in 2016, and under the Chairmanship of Councillor John Pender discussed the strategic requirements in respect of housing provision and social development. Members were briefed on and considered the following:

• Housing Assistance Payment
• National Housing Strategy 2020
• Capital Projects 2015-2017
• Homelessness
• Tenant Incremental Purchase Scheme 2016
• Housing Needs Assessment
• Repair To Lease Scheme

Housing Activity in 2016

The Council meets housing need in the county by the direct provision of accommodation or assisting individuals to provide their own accommodation. Improvement Works in Lieu of Re-housing, Housing Aid for Older People, Mobility Aids Grants and Housing Adaptation Grants for People with a Disability also contributed to meeting housing need by adapting the existing homes to meet the needs of the occupants. Details of direct social housing provision are as follows:

• Housing Capital Programme - construction was commenced and is currently being progressed on the following schemes:
  • 10 Houses at Rathvilly
  • 24 Houses at Muinebheag
  • 5 Houses at Maryborough Street, Carlow
  • 1 Rural Dwelling
• Purchases were completed on 13 units with a further 16 being progressed at year end at various locations throughout Carlow.
• 6 Units were also acquired in accordance with Part V requirements in Carlow Town.
• Currently there are 36 properties at various locations throughout the County leased by the Council under Long Term Leasing Scheme and allocated to social housing applicants.
• 492 properties rented throughout the County in order to provide accommodation under the Rental Accommodation Scheme.
• Currently there are 4 Local Authority properties and 5 AHB properties in the Mortgage to Rent scheme (9 in total).
• Loan activity in 2016 resulted in 37 applications received for house purchases. There were 20 final approvals with a number of applications currently being processed. Details of loan activity for 2016 is set out in the table below:

  Loan Type	Apps Rec'd	Final Approvals	Value €
  SDA	37	20	€2,168,000
  Shared Own.	0	0	Nil
  Reconstruction	0	0	Nil
  Affordable SDA	0	0	Nil
  Total	37	20	€2,168,000

• Carlow County Council provided total funding of €1,738,000 in respect of Housing Adaptation Grants, Mobility Aid Grants and Housing Aid for Older People Grants in 2016, which were paid to over 300 applicants and which assisted these households to cater for their housing need within their own homes.

Housing Capital Programme 2016

The National Housing Strategy 2020 was launched by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government in 2014. The DOECLG published national targets for direct provision and leasing of social units. Carlow County Council on foot of proposals submitted to meet its targets, provisional approvals was issued to the Council in May, 2015 for the provision of 62 units at various locations throughout the County for the period 2015 - 2017.The table below sets out the housing capital funds received by the Council in 2016.
Local Authority Housing

Energy Efficiency Programme

The Department of the Environment, Community & Local Government continued to fund the improvement of social housing stock in 2016 with grant aid of €426,430 for energy efficiency works to housing stock.


Traveller Accommodation

Mid Term Review of The Traveller Accommodation Plan (2014 - 2018) was carried out in 2016 with accommodation future need estimated as detailed in the table hereunder.
During 2016 eleven families were accommodated in properties provided under the Rental Accommodation Scheme, Local Authority Standard Housing, Long Term Leasing and by Voluntary Housing Associations.

Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS)

A total of 18 new units were taken on to the Rental Accommodation Scheme (RAS) by Carlow County Council in 2015 with 29 new tenants appointed to properties. With the introduction of the Housing Assistance Payment in June, 2015, new RAS tenancies will be phased out. Only in specific cases, i.e. to replace RAS properties leaving the scheme, that new properties will be taken on. The total RAS properties at 31st December 2016 was 492.

Housing Assistance Payment

The Housing Assistance Payment which came into operation in Carlow on 29th June, 2015. This Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a new form of social housing support which replaces rent supplement for households with a long-term housing need. All applications for HAP are made locally to the Council. The applicant for HAP sources own accommodation and pays a contribution to the Council based on the applicants income. The rent up to set limits, dependent on household composition is paid directly to the landlord. There are a total of 472 HAP tenancies in place at present, with 365 of these being completed in 2016.

Housing Needs Assessment

The number of applicants included on the Carlow County Council Housing List at 31st December, 2016 is detailed below. Provision for the Homeless

The St. Vincent De Paul Monastery Hostel continues to play an important role in meeting the need of those seeking emergency accommodation. Carlow County Council continued its financial support of the hostel during 2015. The tenancy sustainment service provided through the St. Vincent De Paul Monastery Hostel has been continued in 2015 and proved very beneficial. National Policy now focuses on a regional approach to the provision of homeless services. Waterford City Council is the lead authority for the South East supported by a Regional Forum and Management Group made up of members from regional local authorities, Health Service Executive and other agencies.

The focus of the National Policy is for the elimination of hostel type accommodation and a move to self catering accommodation with supports provided by the relevant agencies. The Homeless Action Teams within each county is tasked with ensuring that all homeless or those in danger of becoming homeless are provided with every available support in order to assist in sustaining tenancies. The Homeless Action team meet fortnightly in Carlow. In addition a drop-in clinic is held in the County Offices every Wednesday. Carlow has been very successful in implementing National policy in ensuring that individuals are assisted in moving on to private rented accommodation supported by the Tenant Sustainment Officer within the 6 month timeframe despite the difficulties in the private rented market.

SPECIAL PROJECTS

Ducketts Grove Castle and Walled Gardens

This amenity facilitated several events including Christmas and Easter Markets up to 2016. Unfortunately Carlow County Council did not permit a full programme of events in 2016.
The main buildings are of increasing interest to National and International Paranormal science groups. South East Radio and Beat FM have had several broadcasts relating to the supernatural dimensions of the Castle. The grounds are also the venue for the annual Irish Cancer Foundation's "Relay for Life", held in June. Renewal of the gardens - both herbaceous and floral sections, is now nearing completion. The project manager for this work is Mr. Pat Ryan of Emerald Forestry Co. Ltd. The recognition of the importance of Ducketts Grove with its unique architectural and horticultural features at International level is a tribute to the courage of the members of Carlow County Council, its agents and employees, for their rescue of this National treasure. Also, Eileen O'Rourke is congratulated on her hard work in promoting this facility. Madeleine Forrest is congratulated on the quality and welcoming service at the Tea Rooms. Oak Park Forest Park

Oak Park Forest Park, on the outskirts of Carlow Town, remains very popular for quiet walks in a beautiful setting. During 2016, works were carried out on the surface of the paths. Oakpark Forest Park has won the National Community Woodlands award following a 32-county competition, adjudicated by the Royal Dublin Society (RDS) and The Forestry Service. Emerald Forestry Co. Ltd. continue the required forest renewal works in conjunction with Coillte and the Forestry Service. Carlow Delta Centre and local schools benefit from the universal facilities. Walking

Carlow Local Authorities, in conjunction with Carlow Tourism, Carlow County Development Partnership Ltd. and the Carlow Walks Sub-Committee has assessed the priority walks in the County. Established walkways combine mountain hiking with urban park land. Carlow is linked in to the Wicklow Way and the Slieve Margy Trail in Kilkenny/Laois and to the South Leinster Way i.e. linking South Tipperary/Waterford/Dublin. The Barrow and Slaney Valleys have some of the most attractive and well maintained river walks in Ireland. The longer hiking walks are continuously being developed in conjunction with Tullow Mountaineering Club and Blackstairs Ramblers. Thanks to Borris Tidy Towns Association and to Clare O'Shea of Carlow County Development Partnership, we have completed an important addition to walking facilities at Clashganny.

Tullow Town Park

Tullow Town Park operates successfully in providing an amenity to the people of Tullow. Activities have included use of the playground, exercise and training area and ordinary relaxation. At Tullow, the first Skateboard Park is now very popular. Great credit is due to the Members from the Tullow electoral area for their initiative in this proposal - and to the Develop Tullow Association for their great work in maintaining Tullow Town Park. Further proposals will enhance the Park's ecological diversity.

McGrath Park, Bagenalstown

The Trustees of McGrath Park are to be commended for such a marvellous facility used by hurling, football, soccer, pitch & putt, athletics and cricket clubs. Bagenalstown Improvement Group under the leadership of Paddy Gardiner is to be congratulated for their marvellous work throughout Bagenalstown, including the Town Park.

River Barrow

Carlow Local Authorities with Carlow Tourism and Carlow County Development Partnership will continue to source funding for the priorities of the Barrow Corridor Study. The benefit from the amenities and the facilities recently constructed by Waterways Ireland at Clashganny were highlighted. The improvement of access and parking facilities are now urgent priorities to be considered at Clashganny. Congratulations to Carlow County Development Partnership and to Borris Tidy Towns for their progress on a new walkway, proximate to the Lock area. Carlow County Council pursued the upgrading of tidal boating facility at St. Mullins in conjunction with Waterways Ireland. The navigation channel of the Barrow has become a matter of serious concern to boaters and fishing interests and those concerned with future flooding due to silting and overgrowth. It is impossible to progress any initiative at the Barrow without some remedial action in this respect. The continuous build-up of deposits on the river bed may well limit flood protection measures and negate those already in place. THE STONE MAD BARROW VALLEY MARATHON will commence at Carlow Town Hall on Saturday 17th June 2017. This event will attract National interest and enjoyment of the Barrows marvellous amenity.

SEAI Better Energy Communities 2016

Carlow County Council completed energy upgrades on over 200 houses in 2016. This included upgrading of the heating system, ventilation, windows and doors, lighting and high efficiency stoves. To date over 1,700 houses have received energy upgrades in County Carlow. These works have been very well received by householders - whose energy bills have more than halved and with much greater living quality.
It is disappointing that several communities in the County did not participate in spite of considerable funding being available and a high level of support forthcoming from Carlow County Council. Carlow County Council in conjunction with the Carlow Kilkenny Energy Agency has prepared a schedule of projects for possible grant aid in 2017.
Projects have been completed at New Oak Estate, Carlow Library, Civic Offices, Carlow Fire Station, New Oak Community Centre, Visual Centre for Contemporary Arts, Public Lighting at Various Locations, Carrigduff Swimming Pool, and C.Y.M.A.

Carlow County Council, Athy Road, Carlow. R93 E7R7 Tel. +353 59 9170300.