Housing

Summary of Social Housing Assessment (SSHA) 2023

Longford County Council is currently preparing a Social Housing Assessment Summary in accordance with Section 21 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and as prescribed in the Social Housing Assessment (Summary) Regulations, 2016 as amended.

All Local Authorities are required by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government to complete this assessment for all persons who have applied for social housing support.

The purpose of the Assessment is to capture the total number of households qualified for social housing support across the county whose social housing need is not being met, to understand the level of need for such support.

This Council is contacting certain applicants who have applied for social housing support prior to 11th August 2022 to confirm that they still require social housing support. Each applicant must confirm their requirement to the Council by completing the review assessment form which has been issued. Applicants who have been assessed/reviewed after 11th August 2022 will not be written to as your file has recently been assessed/reviewed so there is no need to contact the Council unless there is a change in circumstances. Transfer applicants, HAP and RAS tenants are not included in this assessment.

Please return your form by post or in person by the date specified in your letter to ensure that your application is included in this assessment. 

All forms returned to the Council will be assessed to ensure that each applicant has a continuing need for social housing support. It is most important that forms are completed in full including all relevant information. Applicants are required to provide up to date income details for the preceding 12-month period.

If an applicant no longer requires social housing support or is no longer eligible their file will be closed. It will be assumed that applicants who do not return their Social Housing Assessment Forms are no longer interested / in need of social housing support, and their file will be closed.

Longford County Council would like to thank you in advance for your co-operation.

Housing for All

Housing for All - a New Housing Plan for Ireland’ is the government’s housing plan to 2030.

Housing Department

The overall aim of the Housing Policy is to enable every household to have available to them an affordable dwelling of good quality, suited to its needs, in a good environment and as far as possible at a tenure of its choice. The general strategy for realising this policy is that those who can afford to do so should provide housing for themselves and those unable to do so from their own resources should have access to social housing or income support to rent private housing. 

The functions of Longford County Council in relation to housing are as follows:

• To provide and manage rented Local Authority housing for those unable to provide housing from their own resources 
• To provide and manage accommodation for travellers 
• To promote home ownership through tenant purchase schemes, shared ownership schemes and various loan options for those who fulfil certain criteria
• To be a facilitator for approved voluntary or non-profit housing organisations by providing rented accommodation and facilities to enforce housing standards and controls in relation to private rented dwellings.

Homeless Services

 If you are homeless, rough sleeping or at risk of becoming homeless you need to present to the Housing Office in between the hours of 10.00am and 1pm and 2pm to 4pm. Our email address is homeless@longfordcoco.ie

Should you require assistance outside of these hours please contact the out of hours service on 087 445 4542 or email outofhoursservice@midlandssimon.com between the hours of 6pm-12am (midnight) 7 days a week. 

When presenting at your local housing office you will require photo identification – valid drivers licence or passport. You will also need to provide proof of your current income/social welfare payment – payslip from employer or Post Office.

https://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/homelessness/other/homelessness-data

Am I entitled to temporary emergency accommodation?

At present, in order to qualify for access to social housing supports in the Longford area, you must produce evidence of your local connection to the county. A local connection is determined having regard to the following criteria:

·         a member of your household has resided for a continuous 5-year period at any time in the area concerned; or

·         The place of employment of any household member is in the area concerned or is located within 15 kilometres of the area; or

·         A household member is in full-time education in any university, college, school or other education establishment in the area concerned; or

·         Any household member with an enduring physical, sensory, mental health or intellectual impairment is attending an educational or medical

           establishment in the area concerned that has facilities or services specifically related to such impairment, or

·         A relative of any household member lives in the area concerned and has lived there for a minimum period of 2 years.

Upon presenting at the Housing Office the Homeless Liaison Officer will complete a homeless assessment which will have regard to whether:  

·         You have a local connection to the area and whether you are registered as homeless with any other local authorities.

·         You are homeless or likely to be homeless,

·         The circumstances which contributed to your current situation 

It will then be determined if you have a priority need for temporary accommodation/access to social housing supports. 

I’m under 18, what do I do?

The Health Service Executive (HSE) will help you if you are under 18 years. If you are homeless or are at risk of becoming homeless go to your local Area Health Office and look to speak to a social worker. If that office is closed, for example it is after 5:00pm you should go to the local Garda Station and they will contact the on-duty social worker.  

Homelessness Statistics

Official homelessness data is produced by Longford County Council through the Pathway Accommodation & Support System (PASS).  The data produced captures details of individuals in State-funded emergency accommodation arrangements that are overseen by local authorities.  The Midlands Regional Homelessness Authority, as the lead local authorities for homelessness in each region, provide monthly reports on homelessness, in accordance with Departmental set guidelines which identify the number of people utilising State-funded emergency accommodation on a regional and county basis.

The most recent records are available on the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage below

https://www.housing.gov.ie/housing/homelessness/other/homelessness-data