Annual Report 2011.pdf (size 6 MB) - Offaly County Council

Tenant Purchase
Tenant Purchase Scheme sales peaked in 2006 with
almost 40 houses sold during the year. There were no
sales completed in 2011. The reduced level of activity
under TPS continued to have severe implications for the
level of funding available to deliver programmes across
a range of areas and the level of internal capital
reserves available in 2011 was severely limited. A new
Tenant Purchase Scheme for long-standing tenants was
adopted by members in March 2011. Provided an
application was received by 31 st December 2011 sales
must be completed by 31 st December 2012. The
maximum discount on market value is 45% - at a rate
of 3% per year of tenancy up to 15 years maximum.
Under the 2011 scheme, 380 tenants were deemed
eligible and were contacted with details of how to apply
for the scheme. 54 applications were received from
tenants with 39 valuations completed by year end and
tenants advised of valuations, discounts and balances
remaining to complete the sales. Progress to complete
a limited number of sales under this scheme will be
progressed in 2012.
Housing Rents
A housing rents management software system was
introduced resulting in more efficient monitoring of rent
arrears and better use of staff resources in rents
management. Housing staff continued to effectively
liaise with Revenue Collectors and tenants to ensure
arrears were appropriately dealt with in line with
Housing Rent Arrears Policy 2010. Notice to Quit for
failing to address arrears were issued when appropriate
and relevant.
Housing Loans
Revised housing loan criteria were introduced in 2009
including the adoption of a Credit Policy. A Loan Arrears
Policy was adopted in 2010 reflecting the increase in
the levels of arrears being experienced by customers
with local authority loans. Shared Ownership loans are
no longer a housing option since June 2011. Four
annuity loan applications were received in 2011 with
one given provisional approval. 2 shared ownership
loan borrowers voluntarily agreed to possession orders
for non payment of mortgages and these properties
were repossessed by the local authority in October
2011.
Adaptation, Mobility and Older Persons Grants
€1,750,000 was approved by the Council in respect of
Housing Grants for 2011 with 132 grants approved
under the following schemes; HAGS: 45 HAOP: 79,
MAGS: 8. 962 grants have been processed under
previous DPG / ERG scheme from 2005 to 2008 and
from 2009 to 2011 under the HAG / MAG and HAOP
schemes. Total expenditure on all schemes since 2005
is €11,380,000 of which OCC provided funding of
€3,107,000. 330 applications were pending approval at
the end of 2011 with the highest demand for the
Housing Aid for Older People scheme. It is anticipated
that 80 grants will be approved in 2012 due to reduced
funding available.
Offaly Local Authorities Annual Report 2011