Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 September 2021
121. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps he can take to reduce the number of applicants on local authority housing waiting lists in the next two years and at the same time make adequate provision for affordable housing demands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46411/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe recently published Housing for All strategy is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade, including an average of 10,000 social homes per annum from 2022-2030. Housing for All is supported by an investment package of over €4b per annum, through an overall combination of €12bn in direct Exchequer funding, €3.5bn in funding through the Land Development Agency (LDA) and €5bn in funding through the Housing Finance Agency.
Under Housing for All, the Government will deliver 18,100 new build social homes in 2022 and 2023, in addition to a further 2,500 social homes through long-term leasing during this same period. We will also provide additional funding to support households on social housing waiting lists to secure a tenancy, supported by the Housing Assistance Payment, while we increase the supply of housing stock managed by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies.
The Housing for All strategy contains a multi-pronged approach to improving affordability and increasing the supply of social homes. Some measures such as the Local Authority Affordable Homes scheme and the First Home scheme are focused on supporting first-time buyers purchasing newly built homes. Other measures such as Cost Rental will deliver approximately 18,000 homes over the period 2021 to 2030.
The strategy also provides for the 'Local Authority Home Loan', which will be in place later in 2021. This is a successor to the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan Scheme, and will include an increase in the income ceiling for single applicants, thus increasing the number of people eligible. The Help to Buy scheme also continues to help purchasers to access homes.
In addition to the above, the Housing for All strategy provides a range of measures to increase and accelerate the delivery of housing, such as increased funding provided to the Land Development Agency, the Croí Cónaithe initiative, measures to reduce vacancy rates, and expanded supports for retrofitting existing homes. In addition, the Government has introduced new, higher-rate stamp duty measures and planning permission restrictions to minimise the bulk buying of traditional family homes.
Collectively, these measures will increase the supply of affordable homes and improve affordability for all families or individuals wishing to purchase a home.
