In relation to the planning process, the recently enacted Planning and Development (Housing) and Residential Tenancies Act 2016 amended section 179 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, relating to the arrangements for approval by local authorities of their own development proposals, often referred to as the Part 8 process and providing for greater clarity around timelines associated with the various steps in the process.
Under the new arrangements, the maximum timeframe for the determination of local authority own development proposals is 20 weeks from the date of issue of the proposals for public consultation by the Chief Executive, whereas previously there was no maximum timeframe. These reforms provide greater certainty around the timeframes for such proposals, including proposals for social housing projects and infrastructure servicing both public and private development.
In relation to assisting people to stay in their homes, this Government is committed to supporting households in long-term mortgage arrears to remain in their homes, where possible. In this regard, there are currently two Mortgage to Rent (MTR) schemes funded by my Department. One scheme facilitates a local authority in acquiring ownership of properties with unsustainable local authority mortgages, thus enabling the household to remain in their home as a social housing tenant. The second scheme provides for an Approved Housing Body (AHB) to acquire ownership of a property with an unsustainable private mortgage, which also enables the household to remain in their home as a social housing tenant. Both schemes are part of the overall suite of social housing options and an important part of the mortgage arrears resolution process. Both schemes target only the most acute arrears cases where a mortgage is clearly unsustainable and the household have very limited options, if any, to provide for itself.
To support the ambitious Rebuilding Ireland target of 47,000 new social housing units, I have secured €5.35 billion in Exchequer investment over the period to 2021. This comprises some €4.5 billion in capital funding and €844 million in support of programmes funded from current expenditure.
I am committed to tackling the range of challenges in the housing sector. The publication of the Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan underpins this resolve and has seen a new level of ambition on housing. I am confident that the multi-stranded actions involved represent a well-judged and comprehensive response to the urgent need for social housing and to respond to the need for a significant increase in housing supply generally.
