Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 July 2023
401. 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 2023; the total funding allocated each year to the local authority to supply affordable housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34069/23]
View answerUnder 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 begun to submit data returns and information on delivery of affordable homes in their area to my Department, in the same manner as is done for social housing. The 2022 progress report on affordable housing provision across all delivery streams has been 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. Local authorities with the highest levels of affordable housing need, including Cork City, were set five-year Affordable Delivery Targets. A copy of Cork City's Housing Delivery Action Plan as published on 12 July 2022 is available on the local authority's website at the following link - corkcity.ie/en/media-folder/housing/cork-city-council-housing-delivery-action-plan.pdf.
Subventions ranging from €50,000 to €150,000 (in respect of cost rental developments in the five city areas) are provided for under the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) to support local authorities to make suitable projects available for affordable purchase or rent. An Exchequer contribution represents 95% of the subvention with the remaining 5% coming from a local authority contribution.
Housing delivery being supported by funding approved originally under the earlier Serviced Sites Fund (SSF) is also progressing with funding comprised of 89% Exchequer contribution matched by an 11% local authority contribution.
AHF or SSF funding has been granted to Cork City in respect of affordable housing schemes at Boherboy Road; Cluain Chaoin, Tower; Crann Darrach, Montenotte; and Hawkes Road, Bishopstown.
In addition, the First Home Scheme, which was launched in July 2022, supports first-time buyers in purchasing new houses and apartments in the private market through the use of an equity share model. Full information on the scheme, which is available nationwide, may be found on the dedicated website, www.firsthomescheme.ie.
Finally, the new Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant is also available nationwide and it provides for grants for refurbishment of vacant and derelict properties. I also announced last year, a new Ready to Build serviced sites scheme under the Fund where local authorities will provide sites at a discount to people who want to build their own home. Information on both of these schemes is available directly from local authorities.
2022 represented the commencement of a very ambitious programme of delivery of affordable housing. This momentum will continue with delivery increasing significantly this year, and my Department is working closely with the local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies, the LDA and other stakeholders to accelerate the delivery of and affordable housing.
