Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 July 2022
370. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of affordable homes that have been built in Cork city in each of the past five years; the total amount planned for 2022; the total funding allocated each year to the local authority to supply affordable housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39203/22]
View answerFunding is made available by Government to assist local authority and Approved Housing Body (AHB) delivery of affordable housing, for purchase and rent, through the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF), previously known as the Serviced Sites Fund (SSF), and the Cost Rental Equity Loan (CREL).
Two Affordable Housing Fund supported schemes will deliver affordable housing in Cork City this year. Cork City Council has advised my Department that the first two phases of the Boherboy Road project in Cork City, involving a total of 117 affordable purchase homes, will see 37 of those homes completed and advertised for applications to purchase this month.
In addition, a development at Cluain Chaoin in Tower will deliver 36 affordable purchase homes in two phases and will also be advertised this month.
Nationally, approval in principle has been confirmed for approximately 900 new Cost Rental homes to be delivered in urban centres by AHBs under the Cost Rental Equity Loan scheme over the period 2021-2023. Of these initial approvals, approximately 150 are scheduled to be delivered in Cork City in 2022 and 2023, across four different sites. The first 73 Cost Rental homes in Cork are scheduled for delivery by the Clúid AHB at Lancaster Gate, Cork City, later this year.
Furthermore, the Land Development Agency (LDA) are currently working on the former HSE site at St. Kevin’s Hospital in Cork City. The LDA have secured planning permission for 265 social and affordable homes. Work will begin on site this year and the first homes are expected at the end of 2023.
The planned delivery of affordable housing, in accordance with the Affordable Housing Act 2021, is set out in local authorities' Housing Delivery Action Plans. Preparation of the Plans allowed each local authority to assess the level of demand with affordability constraint in their area based on the Housing Need and Demand Assessment and plan provision accordingly. They provide a comprehensive national overview of projected delivery of affordable housing.
Finally, the recently launched First Home Scheme to support affordable purchases of new homes in the private market will operate nationwide. Targeted at First Time Buyers or those eligible under the Government’s ‘Fresh Start’ principle, the Scheme will be delivered via a strategic partnership between the State and participating mortgage lenders, and was launched last week. It will improve access to newly-built homes by using a shared equity model to bridge the gap between mortgage finance and the cost of new homes. The homes must be priced within regional price ceilings which will reflect the median prices paid by First Time Buyers for new homes in each area, so this is an intervention to support homeownership in the lower region of the market.
