My second motion at today’s (16th May) Municipal District Meeting, ‘That the council clearly outline each step of the process of nomination and allocation of potential tenants to Approved Housing Bodies (AHB) social housing units in the district including ; what person/s in the council identifies potential tenants from the council’s social housing list; how are the potential tenants identified using what criteria; how is the decision arrived at, is there a round table discussion of potential tenants; whose opinion is invited, either inside or outside the council in identifying potential tenants; how many potential tenants over and above the number of places available are identified for each unit; what role does the Approved Housing Body or any member of the Approved Housing Body have, either formally or informally in short listing or vetoing or influencing in any way the final selection of potential tenants.

Here is the report issued by: Ms S Scully, Administrative Officer, Housing Section : Kildare County Council has 100% nomination rights to properties provided by Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) under the Social Leasing Scheme and the Capital Loan and Subsidy Scheme; both schemes provide funding for general needs housing. The Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) provides housing for special categories of need and, in accordance with the rules of the CAS, in instances where an AHB received only 95% of the capital cost of the scheme they will retain 25% nomination rights. In the event that an AHB purchases a property through the Mortgage to Rent Scheme (MTR), the previous owner is entitled to remain in the property, no nomination is required, however, MTR applicants must qualify for social housing. AHBs manage transfer requests within their own stock. Nominations to AHBs are made in accordance with Kildare County Council’s Allocation Scheme for Social Housing 2016, adopted by full council on 28 November 2016. Allocations are made on a time on the list basis, with a provision for priority status in certain circumstances (Part 2 of the Allocations Scheme refers). Where a vacancy arises in the AHBs stock, or a new property becomes available, one household from the housing list will be selected by the Allocations Team, following consultation with the Housing Officer, and referred to the relevant AHB. Each household nominated is Garda checked and the AHB has an opportunity to interview the potential tenant. As part of the annual compliance process AHBs are requested to supply details of tenants residing in their properties. This information is compared with the information provided in the previous year and this exercise ensures that, where required, Kildare County Council is notified of vacancies.