Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 April 2024
601. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what his plans are to deal with the number of new apartments being for built for rent as opposed to for sale; if he plans to tackle this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13716/24]
View answerAt its core, Housing for All seeks to significantly increase the supply of quality, affordable housing. To this end, it includes a range of measures to ensure a balanced delivery of homes for private ownership, social housing and private rental over its lifetime, including apartments for rent and sale.
Since its launch in 2021, there has been a substantial uplift in the quantum of new homes being delivered, with more than 29,700 and 32,600 homes delivered in 2022 and 2023 respectively, significantly above each year's target. This increase in delivery shows we're clearly on the right track.
Croí Cónaithe (Cities) is a key measure to support delivery of new apartments for sale to owner-occupiers. It aims to bridge the current 'viability gap' between the build cost and the market sale price (where the cost of building is greater), and targets delivery of some 5,000 new apartments for sale in the coming years.
The scheme launched in May 2022, with two formal calls for expression of interest in the period since. Five contracts have been signed already to deliver 582 units in Cork and Dublin. The remaining proposals under both calls are currently being assessed by the Housing Agency.
A third call for expressions of interest will issue later this year.
Moreover, amended ‘Sustainable Urban Housing Guidelines: Design Standards for New Apartments’ planning guidelines were introduced in December 2022. As a result, the separate planning application category designating Build to Rent apartments as a separate development type, with specific design standards, has been amended. This means all apartment developments, irrespective of the intended end-user, must be designed to the same minimum standards.
