Written Answers Nos. 61-80
61. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if any additional emergency accommodation has been put in place in Mayo since the lifting of the eviction ban; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33173/23]
View answerMy Department's role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of local authorities in addressing homelessness at a local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of homeless services rests with individual local authorities.
My Department does not fund any homeless service directly but provides funding to local authorities towards the operational costs of homeless accommodation and related services under Section 10 of the Housing Act, 1988. Under Exchequer funding arrangements, local authorities must provide at least 10% of the cost of services from their own resources. Furthermore, local authorities may also incur additional expenditure on homeless related services outside of the Exchequer funding arrangements provided by my Department.
A homelessness consultative forum has been established in each region in accordance with Chapter 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2009. It is a matter for the management group of the consultative forum to determine the type and range of homeless services to address homelessness in each region. The exact amounts spent by housing authorities on homeless services, as well as the type and operation of emergency accommodation including number of emergency accommodation units are a matter for individual local authorities in consultation with the Management Group of the relevant regional joint Homelessness Consultative Forum. Details on the number of units of emergency accommodation in Mayo is a matter for Mayo County Council in consultation with the West region homeless consultative forum.
I have made it clear to all housing authorities that funding for all required homeless services will be provided this year. Financial reports from each of the nine homeless regions setting out expenditure on homeless services including on emergency accommodation are available on my Department's website at the following link www.gov.ie/en/collection/80ea8-homelessness-data/.
62. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to report on the local authority housing stock retrofitting programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33206/23]
View answerSince 2013, Exchequer funding has been provided through my Department's Energy Efficiency Retrofit Programme (EERP) to support local authorities with the retrofit of local authority owned homes requiring insulation and energy upgrade works. Over the period 2013-2022, local authorities received almost €238 million in funding to carry out energy upgrade works on 77,061 properties.
In 2021 a new holistic approach was applied to the Energy Efficient Retrofit Programme (EERP), designed around the Programme for Government's commitment led by the Department for the Environment, Climate and Communications that calls for the 'retrofit' of 500,000 homes to a B2 (BER)/Cost Optimal Equivalent standard by 2030, of which, approximately 36,500 are expected to be local authority owned homes, with grant funding provided by my Department for those local authority housing retrofits.
Works eligible under my Department's revised EERP include attic/cavity wall insulation or external wall insulation where required, windows and doors replacement, heat pump installation and ancillary and associated works. The installation of gas/oil boilers are no longer supported under the energy efficiency programme funded by my Department.
An annualised breakdown of the funding and number of properties completed by each local authority since 2013 is available at the following link: gov.ie - Energy Efficiency Retrofitting Programme - Expenditure & Output (www.gov.ie).
My Department also introduced a pilot Midlands Energy Retrofit Programme in 2020, the details of which are found below. A further 481 properties were retrofitted to a BER of B2/ Cost Optimal Equivalent and these figures are in addition to the National Retrofit Programme.
gov.ie - Midlands Energy Retrofit Programme - Expenditure and Units (www.gov.ie).
The 2023 EERP budget provides an increase in funding support to €87 million in 2023 which will allow approximately 2,400 local authority owned social homes to be upgraded to a B2 or cost optimal equivalent (BER). Local authorities have been notified of their targets and funding available but it will be later this year before significant claims have been received. Figures in relation to the 2023 Programme will be made available in early 2024.
63. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the measures he is taking to reduce the cost of construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32919/23]
View answerThe Government understands the major challenges facing the construction sector from high inflation, pressures on supplies and rising interest rates.
Under Housing for All, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, supported by my Department, has established a Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) Leadership and Integration Group to support the development of MMC and the coordination of various entities that support MMC and innovation adoption particularly in residential construction. These measures will contribute to a reduction in construction cost. These measures include ConstructInnovate, National Demonstration Park for MMC, Built-to-Innovate Initiatives, the Accelerated Social Housing Delivery Programme, Build Digital Project and Training and Skills.
On 4th May, I published the Residential Cost Study report. It prioritises actions to deliver economically sustainable housing in the long-term through productivity, cost reduction, standardisation, innovation & Modern Methods of Construction. The priority actions from this report are now being progressed by my Department.
Additionally, in April, the Government approved measures under the Housing for All Action Plan to incentivise the activation of increased housing supply and help reduce housing construction costs, including the introduction of temporary time-limited arrangements for the waiving of local authority “Section 48” development contributions, and the refunding of Uisce Éireann water and wastewater connection charges.
Government continues to work hard to implement all the above measures.
64. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will make changes to the HAP scheme so that there is not a cliff edge if people go over the social housing income limits to ensure that there is tapered rental support for those above the limits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33208/23]
View answerThe Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a form of social housing support available for people who have a long-term housing need. Any household assessed as eligible for social housing is immediately eligible for HAP. Eligible households can source their own accommodation in the private rental sector which should be within the HAP rent limits provided to them by the local authority.
Applications for social housing support are assessed by the relevant local authority, in accordance with the eligibility and need criteria set down in section 20 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and the associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011, as amended.
The 2011 Regulations prescribe maximum net income limits for each local authority, in different bands according to the area concerned, with income being defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy. The 2011 Regulations do not provide local authorities with any discretion to exceed the limits that apply to their administrative areas.
Under the Household Means Policy, which applies in all local authorities, net income for social housing assessment is defined as gross household income less income tax, PRSI, Universal Social Charge and Additional Superannuation Contribution. The Policy provides for a range of income disregards, and local authorities also have discretion to decide to disregard income that is temporary, short-term or once-off in nature.
Tenants in the HAP scheme are required to sign a rent contribution agreement to pay a weekly rental contribution to the relevant local authority, in line with the local authority’s differential rent scheme. The right of local authorities to set and collect rents on their dwellings is set out in section 58 of the Housing Act 1966. The making or amending of such schemes is an executive function and is subject to broad principles laid down by my Department including that; the rent payable should be related to income and a smaller proportion of income should be required from low income households; and that provision should be included for the acceptance of a lower rent than that required under the terms of the scheme in exceptional cases where payment of the normal rent would give rise to hardship.
As set out in the rent contribution agreement, this weekly rental contribution must be paid by them so that they remain eligible for the HAP scheme. Where a person has a change of circumstances, such as a loss or increase of income, they should notify the relevant local authority. The local authority can reassess those tenants and adjust their differential rent accordingly.
The day-to-day operation of the HAP scheme is a matter for the relevant local authority.
66. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide additional resources to the local authority to deal with and manage the demand for the vacant property refurbishment grant scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33203/23]
View answerAddressing vacancy and making efficient use of existing housing stock is a key priority for Government, as set out in Pathway 4 of Housing for All. In January 2022, my Department communicated with local authorities outlining that funding, made available since 2018 to support the work of a Vacant Homes Office including a Vacant Homes Officer (VHO), would be increased from €50,000 to €60,000 per annum, from mid-2022.
This supports the commitment in Housing for All to ensure that VHOs are full-time. The provision of central funding reinforces the capacity of local authorities, including through the important role of VHOs, to ensure a dedicated focus on tackling vacancy and dereliction with a view to increasing the opportunities for residential development.
All 31 local authorities now have a full time, dedicated VHO in place.
The role of the VHO in each local authority is:
• To actively promote and lead the uptake within the local authority of various initiatives, schemes and funding programmes to address vacancy and bring vacant properties into residential use;
• To actively engage with owners of vacant properties and other relevant stakeholders and promote use of relevant schemes and supports to bring vacant properties into use;
• To collect, monitor and assess vacancy data locally and use that data to actively engage with property owners and promote schemes to encourage activation of properties; and
• Play a communication, promotion and advisory role both internally within the local authority and externally as a contact point for members of the public and key interested parties on vacant homes/properties.
VHOs across local authorities are supported in their work by the Vacant Homes Unit in my Department. The Vacant Homes Unit supports the VHOs and the VHO network, providing information and advice, facilitating dissemination of information and best practice.
In acknowledgement of the administrative overheads local authorities experience in managing the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant and the Ready to Build Scheme, my Department is providing initial support to each local authority in respect of processing applications. This support is linked to the number of applications received with €60,000 provided where up to 50 applications have been received; an additional €60,000 where 51 to 100 applications are received and an additional €60,000 where over 100 applications are received by the local authority.
My Department is examining the resources needed to further support the activation of vacant and derelict properties in order to enable local authorities continue to carry out this important work.
67. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the provision of interim funding for fire safety defects in apartments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32732/23]
View answer68. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the provision of emergency funding for homeowners with fire safety and other structural defects to address immediate fire safety and other structural defects risks in their properties pending the opening of the formal redress scheme for owners with Celtic Tiger era building defects. [33133/23]
View answer94. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if interim funding has been decided on for those who are currently facing defective issues in their dwellings. [32358/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 67, 68 and 94 together.
Since the receipt of Government approval in January of this year, I have been working to progress the various programmes of work that are required to place the scheme to establish supports for the remediation of fire safety, structural safety and water ingress defects in purpose-built apartment buildings, including duplexes, constructed between 1991 and 2013 on a statutory footing.
A key aspect of this work is the development of a Code of Practice, in the context of the Fire Services Acts, to provide guidance to relevant professionals, including guidance on interim safety measures. I expect to be in a position to publish this Code of Practice for public consultation in the coming weeks.
This Code of Practice will be a key feature on which the operation of the statutory scheme will be based. It will support the development of a reasonable and practicable approach to resolving fire safety defects, and to ensure a consistent approach nationwide to remediation. While the Code of Practice will apply to the remediation of fire-safety defects, it could be built upon in regard to the remediation of structural and water-ingress defects in due course.
The scheme will incorporate a means or methodology, based on the Code of Practice, for prioritising the allocation and nature of support and funding, to ensure that the highest risk buildings will be the first to be supported.
In order to ensure that important life-safety works are not paused, remediation works related to fire safety defects, entered into or commenced from 18 January 2023, will form part of the remediation scheme, subject to terms and conditions. The details of this process are being worked out as a priority in parallel with the Code of Practice.
The scheme will be administered by the Housing Agency on a nationwide basis and interaction and interdependency with local authority fire services and others is being considered, with the remediation of fire safety defects carried out to the satisfaction of the local authority fire services. An advice and information service and portal within the Housing Agency is in the process of being established.
In addition, work is also underway to draft the required legislation, which will include the scope, eligibility and conditions of the remediation scheme. While I am working on the development of the scheme as a matter of priority, sufficient time is required to draft the legislation to ensure that the scheme is fit for purpose, provides value for tax payer’s money and contains appropriate oversight and governance measures.
69. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to confirm the amount of people who availed of the help-to-buy-scheme, local authority affordable purchase scheme, first-home scheme and the local authority home loan scheme in Cork in 2022; the amount of funding provided under these schemes in Cork in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33126/23]
View answer81. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the delivery of affordable housing in Cork city. [33088/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 69 and 81 together.
Under Housing for All, the Government will deliver 54,000 affordable homes between now and 2030, to be facilitated by local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), the Land Development Agency (LDA) and through a strategic partnership between the State and retail banks.
With 2022 representing the first full year of affordable housing delivery under the schemes introduced in the Affordable Housing Act 2021, local authorities have completed and submitted to my Department data returns on delivery of affordable homes in their area, in the same manner as is done for social housing. In total, just over €11.9 million in funding was provided through the Affordable Housing Fund to support Local Authority affordable purchase delivery in Cork in 2022, with a further €11.3 million in funding provided via the Cost Rental Equity Loan to support Approved Housing Bodies deliver Cost Rental tenancies. The full 2022 statistical data is published on the Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/#affordable-housing-delivery.
Following the publication of Housing for All in September 2021, I asked all local authorities to prepare Housing Delivery Action Plans. Each local authority was asked to assess the level of housing demand with affordability constraint projected for their area based on the Housing Need and Demand Assessment Tool, and plan their provision accordingly. A copy of each local authority Housing Delivery Action Plan is available on their individual websites. Local authorities with the highest levels of affordable housing need, including Cork City and Cork County, were set five-year Affordable Delivery Targets.
2022 represented the commencement of a very ambitious programme of delivery of affordable housing. This momentum will continue with delivery increasing this year. A strong pipeline of affordable housing delivery is in place and under continuous development by local authorities, by Approved Housing Bodies using the Cost Rental Equity Loan, and by the Land Development Agency.
In addition, the First Home Scheme, launched on 7 July 2022, continues to support first-time buyers in purchasing new houses and apartments in the private market through the use of an equity share model and is available nationwide. Full details of the First Home Scheme are available at: www.firsthomescheme.ie.
Furthermore, the Local Authority Home Loan (LAHL) was introduced in January 2022 as the successor to the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan (RIHL). Loan applications in progress under the RIHL scheme continued to be processed into 2022. My Department regularly publishes information on the number and value of (i) local authority loan approvals and (ii) local authority loan drawdowns. Local authority approval means that an official letter of offer has been sent to a borrower (and therefore relates to a specific property and loan amount). Information on drawdowns, approvals, average drawdowns, and average approvals for both the LAHL and RIHL up to Q3 2022 is available at the following link, which will be updated as soon as figures are available: www.gov.ie/en/collection/42d2f-local-authority-loan-activity/#local-authority-loans-approvedpaid.
Lastly, the Help to Buy incentive comes under the remit of my colleague, Mr. Michael McGrath, TD, Minister for Finance, his Department and the Revenue Commissioners. More information on the latest annual Help to Buy statistics is available at the following link: www.revenue.ie/en/corporate/information-about-revenue/statistics/tax-expenditures/htb/htb-yearly.aspx.
70. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if there is any update on when the referendum on the Right to Housing will take place. [32359/23]
View answerIn line with commitments in the Programme for Government and Housing for All: A New Housing Plan for Ireland, the Housing Commission was established by Government in December 2021 to independently examine and review the housing system in Ireland.
The Commission’s Terms of Reference cover a wide range of issues connected to housing, one of which is to consider the complex constitutional issues arising in this area and to propose appropriate wording for a referendum on housing.
The proposed timeline for a referendum on housing will be a matter for Government to consider following receipt of the proposed wording from the Commission. The Commission is scheduled to conclude its work by the third quarter of this year.
It should be noted that the Housing Commission is independent from my Department. Further information in relation to the Housing Commission can be accessed on its website at the following link: www.gov.ie/housingcommission/.
73. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to his reply to Parliamentary Question No. 100 of 21 June 2023, if Ministerial consent in accordance with the EC (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011 was sought in respect of the foreshore activity referenced in Marine Notice No. 40 of 2022 and in Marine Notice No. 36 of 2022, and the details of same; if Ministerial consent was granted in respect of the foreshore activity referenced, and the details of any consent granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32795/23]
View answerThe Foreshore Act 1933 was amended in December 2022 to ensure that Section 2 License consent under the Foreshore Act is now required for this type of activity. However, as outlined in my response to Parliamentary Question number 100 of 21 June 2023, consent under the Foreshore Act 1933 was not required at the time of the Marine Notices referenced.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) website provides guidance on obligations under The EC (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011-2021 and anyone proposing to undertake this activity prior to the amendment of the Foreshore Act 1933 was directed to contact NPWS in relation to their obligations at the time. The NPWS have confirmed that, while they did have communication with the applicant referenced in the above Question at the time, the applicants in this case did not submit a consent application to them for this activity.
75. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the cost-rental tenant-in-situ scheme, including the number of such properties purchased to date; the number of expressions of interest from landlords; and the number of referrals to the housing agency from local authorities. [33131/23]
View answerThe Cost Rental Tenant In-Situ (CRTiS) Scheme was introduced as an interim measure, developed on an administrative basis, to address the immediate circumstances of the ending of the 'Winter Emergency Period' on 31 March 2023. This temporary scheme is available where a tenant faces the termination of a tenancy due to the landlord’s intention to sell the property. The scheme is available if the tenant household:
• is not able to or intending to purchase the property from the landlord,
• does not own other residential property,
• is assessed by the Local Authority to be at risk of homelessness,
• is not in receipt of social housing supports (i.e. the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) or the Residential Accommodation Scheme (RAS)), and
• has an annual net household income of no more than €53,000.
It is the longer-term intention to transition these tenancies and homes to the standard framework for Cost Rental, where rents are set at a level to meet the costs of acquiring, managing, and maintaining the home. It is for this reason that the net household income limit of €53,000 (gross income less income tax, PRSI, USC and superannuation contributions) aligns with the standard income limit set for Cost Rental housing.
If applicant incomes are above the limit to be eligible for cost rental tenant in-situ scheme, tenants can contact their local authority who will be in a position to advise them of other measures which may be appropriate for their specific situation.
The scheme is administered by the Housing Agency and, as of 27 June 2023, 68 cases had been referred to the Agency by 21 Local Authorities. It is intended that, going forward, data in relation to the Scheme will be published on a quarterly basis.
76. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will refuse 2023-2024 licences for cruel hare coursing as there appears to be uncertainty over the number of hare’s in the country (details supplied) [32725/23]
View answerI am considering the application from the Irish Coursing Club in relation to the 2023/24 open season and a decision will issue in due course.
The Irish hare is listed on Annex V of EU Directive 92/43/EEC (the Habitats Directive) and this listing requires member states to manage the species’ sustainably. The Habitats Directive also requires Ireland to make a detailed report every six years on the conservation status of all listed species, including the Irish hare. Ireland’s most recent report in 2019 included a comprehensive assessment of the range, population status, habitat and threats for the Irish hare. The report can be viewed here: www.npws.ie/publications/article-17-reports/article-17-reports-2019.
The 2019 report notes that the hare is widespread and common in Ireland with a broad habitat niche; it is found throughout the country from coastal habitats to upland heath and bog. While the report does highlight some concerns about the loss of habitat quality due to agricultural intensification and afforestation, overall the species is considered to be in favourable conservation status. In addition, the most recent Red Data List for Mammals in Ireland (2019) confirmed that the species is not threatened; it assessed the Irish hare as “Least concern". Further details are available at the following link: www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/Red%20List%20No.%2012%20Mammals.pdf”.
77. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage how many social housing applicants had their files/cases closed due to them exceeding the income threshold for the years 2022 and to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32918/23]
View answerThe information requested is not held by my Department.
The oversight and practical management of housing waiting and transfer lists is a matter for each local authority in accordance with the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 and associated Social Housing Assessment Regulations.
78. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he can detail the number of people currently in emergency accommodation; the numbers who have been there for over 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33038/23]
View answerMy Department currently gathers and publishes data on a monthly basis on the number of homeless persons accommodated in emergency accommodation funded and overseen by housing authorities. These reports are based on data provided by housing authorities, produced through the Pathway Accommodation & Support System (PASS).
The monthly homelessness report includes details of individuals, families and the dependants of these families who accessed emergency accommodation during the relevant count week of the month in question. The most recently published data is in respect of May 2023. The reports are collated on a regional basis and are available on my Department's website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/80ea8-homelessness-data/ and are also published to the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform's open data portal data.gov.ie/.
My Department also publishes quarterly progress reports which are based on quarterly performance reports submitted by the nine regional lead authorities responsible for the administration of homeless services at local level. The quarterly performance reports include details of the numbers of individuals prevented from entering emergency accommodation, and those exiting emergency accommodation, into tenancies, and the duration of stay in emergency accommodation. The quarterly progress report summarises the data submitted to the Department.
The duration of stay data is reported as six-monthly bands ranging from less than six months to more than 24 months and is also disaggregated by household type. These bands refer to consecutive stays in emergency accommodation and are based on a point-in-time count, informed by emergency accommodation usage on the last night in the quarter. The most recent published data is in respect of Q1 2023 and the report is available on my Department’s website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/80ea8-homelessness-data/.
79. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage for an update on the number of housing commencements in Carlow to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32971/23]
View answerData on the commencement of residential new builds are published monthly on my Department's website at gov.ie - Construction Activity Statistics (www.gov.ie).
The most recent data show 52 homes commenced construction in Carlow from January to May this year, up 30% on the same period last year.
The increase in new home commencements in Carlow reflects an upward trend nationally over the last three quarters. Almost 28,000 homes commenced construction nationwide in the year to end-May 2023. More than 3,000 of these were commenced in May, an increase of 11% on the same month in 2022.
The strong uptick in commencements in Q4 2022 has continued into the first five months of 2023, with almost 13,000 commencements from January to May, the most for this period since records began in 2014 and 7% higher than the in same in period last year.
Housing for All is working and delivery is increasing. We have made a very positive start to 2023 across the key leading construction indicators. More than 6,700 homes were completed in Q1 2023, the most completions since Q1 2011; while almost 31,000 homes were completed in the 12-months to end-March 2023, the first time since 2009 rolling 12-month home completions surpassed 30,000.
In addition, a strong pipeline of social and affordable housing exists, with over 19,000 new-build social homes in the pipeline and over 2,700 more local authority affordable homes already approved for funding, along with further affordable housing being planned by the LDA and Approved Housing Bodies.
I am optimistic, given recent upward trends in planning permissions, commencements and completions, that we will meet our overall targets for new homes in 2023 and the recent substantial uplift can be sustained into 2024 and 2025.
80. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage whether he has set a target date for ending homelessness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33182/23]
View answerAs a signatory of the Lisbon Declaration on the European Platform on Combatting Homelessness, Ireland has committed, along with other member states, to work towards ending homelessness by 2030. This will be done through a number of actions including:
• Increasing the supply of housing. 300,000 homes will be delivered between now and the end of 2030 including 90,000 social homes, 36,000 affordable homes and 18,000 cost rental homes;
• Increasing the number of ‘Housing First’ tenancies;
• Inter-departmental and agency co-operation through the National Homeless Action Committee;
• Implementation of the Youth Homelessness Strategy;
• Expansion of outreach services.
Work on these actions is well under way.
The National Homeless Action Committee (NHAC) was established in Q4 2021. The overarching objective of NHAC is to ensure that a renewed emphasis is brought to collaborating across Government to implement actions in Housing for All, along with bringing better coherence and coordination of homeless-related services in delivering policy measures and actions to address homelessness. Beyond this, the Committee also has a role in addressing emerging homeless-related issues and in developing further responses.
I published the Youth Homeless Strategy on 9 November 2022. The Strategy aims to help young people aged 18 - 24 who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Work on the 27 key actions of the strategy is underway.
Housing First enables homeless individuals with high levels of complex needs to obtain permanent secure accommodation with the provision of intensive housing and health supports to help them maintain their tenancies. A new Housing First National Implementation Plan covering the period 2022-2026 was published in December 2021. The plan provides for a further 1,319 tenancies over this period and the report for Q1 2023 shows that a total of 309 tenancies have been created since the launch of the Plan.
I have introduced further measures to increase supply - thus preventing homelessness in the first instance - including the Tenant-in-Situ acquisition scheme, Cost-Rental Tenant-in-Situ, First Right of Refusal, and Targeted Leasing.
The Housing Agency has also completed a good practice guide for Street Outreach for local authorities. This manual will assist regions in expanding outreach services into those urban areas in which rough sleeping is understood to be a concern.
Ultimately, increased supply across all tenures is key to eradicating homelessness. Housing supply is increasing under Housing for All. Record State investment of €4.5bn will be made available in 2023 to support the largest State home building programme ever, with 9,100 direct build social homes and 5,500 affordable homes.
