Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 July 2023
467. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of affordable homes that have been built in counties Cavan and Monaghan 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. [35211/23]
View answer476. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of affordable purchase homes delivered to date in 2023, broken down by funding stream and local authority area, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35257/23]
View answer482. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to provide an update on the delivery of affordable homes under the affordable housing fund, cost rental equity loan and LDA project Tosaigh stating the number of affordable homes delivered under these schemes to date in 2023 with a breakdown by location and cost/price. [35356/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 467, 476 and 482 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 begun to complete and submit data returns to my Department on delivery of affordable homes in their area in the same manner as is done for social housing. The 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. 18 Local authorities with the highest levels of affordable housing need were set five-year Affordable Delivery Targets. Each local authority published its Housing Delivery Action Plan on its own website on 12 July 2022.
The Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) is available to assist all local authorities to respond effectively wherever localised affordability constraints at scale are identified.
Subventions ranging from €50,000 to €150,000 (in respect of cost rental developments in the five city areas) are available to support local authorities to bring forward suitable schemes whereby homes can be offered for purchase or rent to eligible applicants at an affordable price. 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 is also progressing with funding comprised of 89% Exchequer contribution matched by an 11% Local Authority contribution.
Cavan and Monaghan county councils do not have a specific affordable housing delivery target and have not applied for AHF assistance to date. Circular 06/2023 provides guidance on preparing an application for AHF assistance in situations where a local authority does not have an affordable delivery target but has identified localised affordability constraints. Further assistance with developing schemes is available from my Department, the Housing Agency and the Housing Delivery Co-ordination Office within the Local Government Management Association.
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 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.
