2017 Kerry County Council budget aims to stem the tide in housing demand

COUNCILLORS recently voted to accept Kerry County Council’s budget for 2017 which will see a combined pot of €181 million (€61 million of which is earmarked for capital projects) go towards keeping services running across the county.

The issue of a housing strategy is also mentioned in the budget stating that KCC received notification from Government for delivery of 1,058 housing units at an estimated cost of €62 million which the council say it is actively working towards delivering through various mechanisms.

The Council is set to buy 50 houses prior to the end of 2016 and has also set aside €1.788 million for housing adaptation schemes. The difficulties and frustrations that people face when looking to acquire a home are increased even more by the sight of vacant and derelict houses around the county. This issue was also raised during budget discussions and KCC say works on at least 132 houses are scheduled for completion by the end of the year.

A Housing Construction Programme is also in the pipeline for 2017 in Killarney, Killorglin, Tralee, Listowel, Lixnaw and Kenmare where the council anticipates a target of 111 units will be built. A new Housing Assistance Payment is to be introduced this month and will replace the rent allowance payment for those with a long-term housing need, for which the council have set aside €250,000 to help support the programme.

In total, the 2017 Housing and Building Programme is expected to cost €24.16 million (19.06 per cent of the entire cost of KCC’s budget). In terms of footing the bill, KCC rely heavily on property related income such as Rates on Commercial Property €41.156m; Local Property Tax which is expected to generate €13.78 million, while planning application fees and charges is earmarked to bring in €627,000, which the report states “is reflective of anticipated activity in this area in 2017”.

The council say the object of the Housing and Building schemes is to maximise the provision of suitable accommodation and the utilisation of various social housing options to manage and maintain housing stocks and to facilitate development.