The objective of the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF) is to provide public off-site infrastructure to relieve critical infrastructure blockages. This enables the accelerated delivery of housing on key development sites in Dublin and in urban areas of high demand. LIHAF is designed to specifically address the issue of housing supply, a crucial factor in terms of moderating house prices. Infrastructure being funded under LIHAF includes access roads, distributor roads, link roads, road improvements, roundabouts, bridges and parks.
LIHAF was not primarily intended as an affordable housing scheme, although it will enable the development of more affordable housing on sites. It is a scheme which funds the building of public infrastructure by local authorities. This infrastructure in turn unlocks associated sites for housing development quicker than would otherwise have occurred. As such, my Department does not routinely retain information on size of dwellings which may be made available by private developers building homes on private lands.
In 2017, grant agreements for 30 approved projects were signed between my Department and local authorities. One such project was at Cherrywood, Co. Dublin. Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council were approved grant funding for the construction of a new N11 junction 'Q' at Druid Glen Road, Druid's Glen Road (road only), Druid’s Glen bridge - (short bridge structure traversing valley) and Druid's Glen Road (bridge feature).
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council has advised that the total residential units over the entire build out of the Cherrywood SDZ is for c.7,000 homes. The total housing associated to the LIHAF grant agreement is for 2,000 homes, including 200 Part V and 100 affordable homes. These homes are for purchase and will primarily be 1, 2 and 3 bedroom units, therefore rental costs are not applicable. Completion is expected on the total LIHAF related affordable units by end 2023 and price points in relation to LIHAF reductions will be agreed between the local authority and developer in advance of sale.
