KCC To Rent 125 Homes In Naas For A 25 Year Period.

The council has not stated the total cost of the lease.

Kildare County Council has confirmed that it is to rent 125 homes , for a period of 25 years, from a state backed investment fund.

The homes, at Whitewell, Naas, previously known as Bluebell, are being built by Ardstone Homes Limited.

Kildare County Council did not provide a euro figure when asked by Kfm Radio to state the total cost to it of leasing the homes.

It says "The lease is based on average market rents with reviews linked to the Harmonised Index of Consumer Price"

The homes will be allocated to people and families on KCC's social housing waiting list.

Fine Gael Cllr., and Naas Municipal District Cathaoirleach, Fintan Brett, says this way of securing homes is, by definition, a short term solution.

However, Independent Kildare Newbridge Cllr., Fiona McLoughlin Healy, says such arrangements serve only  the owner of the homes.

Kildare County Council issued this statement to Kfm Radio:

"Kildare County Council is proposing to lease 125 houses and apartments at Whitewell, Naas (previously known as Bluebell)  this scheme is currently under construction by Ardstone Homes Limited. Kildare County Council  received support from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH).
 
Kildare County Council is tasked with delivering social housing in accordance with the Government’s Rebuilding Ireland programme and, in tandem with our construction programme, we will consider opportunities to lease properties; the council has been set a target by the DHLGH to deliver 153 leased units in 2021.  To date the council has delivered 99 leased units, which is a combination of one-off units and schemes in their entirety.

The Housing Strategy which forms part of the County Development Plan requires the council to have regard to the summary of social housing assessments (published on the Housing Agency’s website) and the relevant policies or objectives of the Government or any Minister of the Government that relate to housing and social integration in the provision of housing services.

In the addition, the following query responses are outlined below:

How will the houses be allocated ? Allocations will be made in accordance with the Council’s Allocation Scheme for Social Housing 2016

Will the allocations be for Naas residents only or countywide applicants? As per the Allocations Scheme and based on the applicant’s area of preference.

What will the proposed rental cost be per month for tenants? Rents will be assessed based on tenants income and based on the council’s differential rent scheme

What will the overall cost to the Council be for the lease? i.e how much does the lease cost? ).The lease is based on average market rents with reviews linked to the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices."

Cllr. Brett joined Clem Ryan on Friday morning's edition of Kildare Today.