In line with a commitment given under the Social Housing Strategy 2020 (published in 2014) the Summary of Social Housing Assessments (SSHA) is now being carried out on an annual basis from 2016 onwards. The preparation of the SSHA every year will assist in providing a more comprehensive picture of the dynamic numbers applying for social housing supports and of emerging trends. This will enable housing authorities and my Department to ensure that the pipeline for social housing delivery over time matches the profile of those in most need. The Government's Rebuilding Ireland Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness sets ambitious targets to deliver a range of housing across the public and private sectors and the data obtained from the SSHA is of crucial importance in ensuring that the right type of housing is delivered in the right areas.
Pillar 2 of the Action Plan aims to accelerate social housing delivery and provides that over the period of the plan (2016-2021) 47,000 homes will be delivered under the various social housing programmes. Together with an expansion of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) scheme nationwide, this will ensure that the supply of appropriate social housing supports meets demand.
19,055 social housing supports were provided in 2016, supported by expenditure of €935 million. This exceeded the target of 17,240 for 2016, giving a very positive start to the challenge of meeting the ambitious targets in Rebuilding Ireland. I am confident that the robust system of monitoring of the Plan's progress that has been put in place at every level should help to ensure that the early progress made can be maintained and built upon in the coming months and years.
