Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 April 2019
85. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the way in which affordable homes would be delivered nationally further to his recent circular on affordable housing criteria to local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16405/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government recognises the housing affordability pressures that exist for low to middle income households, particularly in Dublin and other main urban centres.
Affordable housing will be available either to purchase, under Part 5 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, or through 'cost rental' which is dealt with on an administrative basis.
In terms of the priority areas for the operation of Affordable House Purchase, this is being influenced by the economic assessments, which local authorities were asked to carry out to identify affordability issues in their areas.
Significant delivery is to be achieved through the €310 million Serviced Site Fund, under which at least 6,200 affordable homes are to be supported over the next three years. The fund primarily focuses on providing key facilitating infrastructure.
An initial 10 projects have been approved for €43m of funding under the first call for proposals under the Serviced Sites Fund. This first tranche of funding will enable the delivery of 1,400 affordable homes. A second call for proposals has now issued and my Department will be working closely with local authorities over the coming weeks to support the accelerated delivery of affordable housing in the areas where such homes are most needed.
