Details in relation to activity under the affordable housing scheme are published in my Department's quarterly and annual housing statistics bulletin. While progress to date under the scheme is slower than I had hoped for, I am confident that the measures to increase the supply of affordable housing set out in Action for Housing will ensure a substantial increase in the provision of affordable housing. Under these I increased the income eligibility thresholds for applicants under the scheme with effect from 15 June this year. For a single income household the income eligibility limit was increased from £20,000 to £25,000. In the case of a two income household the eligibility limit was raised from £50,000 to £62,500 using the formula 2.5 times A+B where A is the principal income and B is the subsidiary lesser income. The income limit for availing of the mortgage subsidy under the affordable housing scheme was also increased from £16,000 to £20,000 per annum and the subsidy levels payable have also been increased. The maximum local authority loan limit was increased to £100,000, which in the case of the affordable housing scheme can be 95% of the cost of the house, subject to the purchaser's ability to pay by reference to net income of the household.
In addition, and as part of the improvements to the terms of the scheme, a site subsidy is now payable by my Department to local authorities to enable them to provide houses at an affordable price and at a sufficient discount from market value. The maximum level of subsidy is £30,000 or the cost of the site, whichever is the lesser, in the major urban areas of Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, and Waterford and £25,000 in other areas. This differential is to take account of the higher cost of development land in the major urban centres.