Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 June 2023
355. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if properties currently under construction at a location (details supplied) have been acquired by an approved housing association for social, affordable and cost rental homes; and if locals will be afforded the opportunity to apply for these homes. [29068/23]
View answerHousing for All, the Government’s housing plan to 2030, is a multi-annual, multibillion euro plan, which commits to increasing the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year. Over 300,000 new homes will be built by the end of 2030, including a projected 90,000 social housing homes, 36,000 affordable purchase homes, and 18,000 cost rental homes.
A number of Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) have proposed social, affordable and cost rental projects within the Fingal County Council area. These proposals are currently under consideration, and the necessary financial and commercial arrangements in relation to these projects are still to be completed. When these commercially sensitive arrangements are concluded, details of these projects will be made available to the public.
Approved social housing projects provide accommodation for people on the relevant local authority’s waiting list. Decisions on the qualification of specific persons for social housing support, the most appropriate form of any such support, and the allocation of that support is a matter for the local authority concerned.
Cost Rental supports the housing needs of those on moderate incomes who cannot affordably access homes in the private rental market and who do not qualify for social housing supports. All Cost Rental homes must be made available to a tenant whose household falls within prescribed eligibility conditions. The primary eligibility condition for accessing Cost Rental housing is a maximum net annual household income (less income tax, PRSI, USC and superannuation contributions) of €53,000.
Under the relevant Regulations, all Cost Rental properties must be advertised online by the landlord for a period of at least 7 days, during which households can express their interest in leasing the properties. In the event that the number of eligible applicants exceeds the number of homes available, the provider must consider the applications in a random order, using an auditable lottery system, in order to provide an equitable opportunity for all eligible applicants. The Cost Rental eligibility criteria remain under review to ensure they remain fit for purpose in targeting support at those who cannot affordably access homes for rental on the private market.
