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Housing Policy

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 July 2021

Thursday, 15 July 2021

Ceisteanna (198)

Cian O'Callaghan

Ceist:

198. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the policy and practical steps that have been taken to support the scale-up of affordable co-operative housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38763/21]

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Freagraí scríofa

To date, Serviced Sites Funding of almost €200 million has been approved in principle in support of 40 infrastructure projects in 14 local authority areas across 9 counties, which will assist in the delivery of almost 4,200 affordable homes for purchase or for rent, all of which will be delivered on local authority land.

Affordable Cost Rental homes will also be delivered by Approved Housing Bodies and the Land Development Agency.

The Affordable Housing Bill 2021 which has now cleared all stages in the Oireachtas is the first ever standalone affordable housing legislation. The provisions of the Bill establish the basis for 4 new affordable housing measures. These measures will deliver on the Programme for Government commitment to put affordability at the heart of the housing system and prioritise the increased supply of affordable homes through (1) delivering affordable homes on local authority lands, (2) the introduction of a new form of tenure in Cost Rental, (3) a new affordable purchase shared equity scheme and (4) expanding Part V planning requirements to increase the 10% contribution requirement to 20% and to apply it to cost rental as well as social and affordable housing.

The provisions under Part 2, Section 6 outlines those bodies which a housing authority may enter arrangements with to may make dwellings available for the purpose of sale to eligible applicants under affordable dwelling purchase arrangements

To this end, during the Bill's passage through the Oireachtas, I accepted an amendment to the provisions which now forms part of the Bill under Section 6 (2) (b). This allows for a housing authority to enter into arrangements with a community-led housing organisation, a housing co-operative or a community land trust, to acquire, build or cause to be built, dwellings for the purpose of sale to eligible applicants.

Government will very shortly publish a new 5 year ‘Housing for All’ strategy which will include ambitious affordable home delivery targets and further details for these schemes.

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