Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 September 2021
144. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the options that are under consideration for mid-income families who cannot secure sufficient mortgages in circumstances in which financial institutions will not take their rental payments into consideration on their applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46421/21]
View answerThe Housing for All Strategy delivers on the Programme for Government commitment to put affordability at the heart of the housing system. It is the largest State-led building programme in our history, backed up by an unprecedented financial commitment in excess of €4bn per annum.
Over 300,000 new homes will be built by the end of 2030, including a projected 90,000 social homes, 36,000 affordable purchase homes and 18,000 cost rental homes.
Specifically regarding middle-income families wishing to buy homes, the Housing for All strategy contains a multi-pronged approach to improving affordability.
The Local Authority Affordable Homes scheme and the First Home scheme are primarily focused on supporting first-time buyers purchasing newly built homes. Both of these schemes will be targeted at households constrained by the maximum mortgage and deposit available to them. The gap between the market value and what the household can afford (including with the assistance of the ‘Help to Buy’ incentive) will be bridged via the provision of equity support. The equity support can subsequently be redeemed at any time at the home-owners discretion, or remain outstanding until the home is sold or passed on.
In addition to these distinct shared equity schemes, the Housing for All strategy also provides for the 'Local Authority Home Loan', which will be in place later in 2021. The Local Authority Home Loan is a successor to the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan Scheme, and will include an increase in the income ceiling for single applicants, thus increasing the number of people eligible. From 10 September 2021, I have already implemented a reduction of the mortgage interest rate by 0.25% for new borrowers under the existing Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan (RIHL). This lower rate will also apply to loans issued under the forthcoming Local Authority Home Loan. The Help to Buy scheme is also currently available to help purchasers in accessing homes.
Further to the above, the Housing for All strategy also provides the following supports;
- increased funding provided to the Land Development Agency,
- the Croí Cónaithe initiative intended to service sites and refurbish existing vacant properties in regional towns and villages,
- a higher stamp duty rate for institutional investors that purchase family homes,
- increased regulation of short-term letting properties.
- additional measures to reduce vacancy rates, and
- expanded supports for retrofitting existing homes.
Collectively, these measures will improve affordability for all families or individuals wishing to purchase a home.
With regard to the issue of mortgage requirements, these requirements are governed by the Central Bank of Ireland which retains independence in the establishment of macro-prudential policy and mortgage measures.
Information in this regard, including on exemptions and other matters, is available at the following Central Bank links:
www.centralbank.ie/consumer-hub/explainers/what-are-the-mortgage-measures, and
www.centralbank.ie/financial-system/financial-stability/macro-prudential-policy/mortgage-measures.
