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Housing Policy

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 July 2020

Thursday, 23 July 2020

Ceisteanna (40)

Mark Ward

Ceist:

40. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if he will report on the affordable rental scheme; his views on using public land for public housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17124/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Programme for Government 'Our Shared Future', confirms the Government's commitment to introduce "Cost Rental" housing in Ireland where the rents charged cover the cost of delivering, managing, and maintaining the homes only. Cost Rental is not intended to overlap with or replace traditional social housing for low-income households

In 2019 an inter-departmental multi-agency Cost Rental Working Group was convened in order to assess methods for the consistent and sustainable delivery of Cost Rental at scale. The Group brings together representatives of relevant Government Departments, State agencies, and local government. The Group is evaluating potential funding models and operational matters such as tenant eligibility.

This work will be assisted by a recently initiated research consultancy sponsored by the European Investment Bank on behalf of my Department. The EIB has extensive experience in supporting the delivery of affordable housing across Europe and the Report is scheduled for completion in December.

Ireland's first Cost Rental development is currently under construction at Enniskerry Road, Stepaside, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown. The project is being undertaken by two Approved Housing Bodies, Tuath and Respond, with the assistance of DLR County Council. The mixed-tenure development comprises 50 Cost Rental homes alongside 105 social housing homes.

A second pilot project sponsored by my Department is under development for a site at Emmet Road, Inchicore (the former St Michael’s Estate). The project is being led by Dublin City Council, which owns the site. The project is currently at the design stage.

Another proposed Cost Rental development is at Shanganagh Castle, Shankill, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, where DLR County Council is working in partnership with the Land Development Agency on the Council-owned site. On 13 July planning permission was granted to develop 597 homes on this site of which it is anticipated approximately 300 will be cost rental housing which will be provided alongside Affordable Purchase and social housing homes.

These three developments utilise public lands for Cost Rental housing. This allows the homes on these sites to benefit from lower land costs, which assist in lowering the rent ultimately paid by the tenants, while also retaining the homes for this purpose into the longer term.

I plan to outline further details around "Cost Rental" in the Autumn taking on board the input from the aforementioned Group and the experience from the pilot projects, as part of a broader announcement on affordable housing.

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