Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 October 2020
43. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the capital advance leasing facility rules will be amended to allow approved housing bodies to provide both social and affordable homes particularly when acquiring turnkeys from the private sector. [28371/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraCapital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF) provides capital funding to approved housing bodies (of up to 30%) in order to facilitate the construction, refurbishment and acquisition of new social housing homes.
The homes are subsequently provided to local authorities for social housing use under long-term lease arrangements known as Payment and Availability Agreements.
In relation to the query raised by the Deputy, there is no consideration at present being given to amending CALF to incorporate affordable homes. This funding stream is for delivery of social housing homes. I would like to make it clear that any funding models that may be advanced for the purposes of measures such as affordable purchase or cost rental, would be distinct from, and additional to, the CALF facility which will remain ring-fenced for social housing purposes.
With regards to affordable housing, this Government is absolutely committed to ensuring that affordable, quality housing solutions are available to everyone in Irish society, and this is reflected in the Programme for Government "Our Shared Future". The Programme commits to putting affordability at the heart of the housing system through the progression of State-backed affordable housing, and I will outline further plans in terms of affordable housing later in the autumn.
