Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 April 2022
86. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when it is envisaged that the required regulations setting out the detailed criteria of the local authority affordable purchase scheme will be issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21350/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraPart 2 of the Affordable Housing Act 2021, which I commenced on 3 September 2021, lays the foundation for the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme, which allows all Local Authorities to make available affordable homes for purchase. This is a key element in the Government's Housing For All strategy and will enable home ownership through an equity share model, in which eligible purchasers are able to buy the homes at prices significantly below open market value and in return the Local Authority takes a percentage equity interest in the home.
On 13 April 2022 I signed two sets of Regulations to govern the implementation of this scheme by Local Authorities, both of which came into effect that day and which were announced in Iris Oifigiúil on 19 April. The Affordable Housing Regulations 2022 set out the eligibility criteria for the scheme, including the specific gross income limit calculated with reference to the market value of each affordable home. The Affordable Housing (No. 2) Regulations 2022 provide for a number of other matters, including the process by which Local Authorities will advertise homes, receive and assess applications, and operate a Scheme of Priority. These Regulations has been circulated to Local Authorities along with an Explanatory Note and an Income Assessment Policy. The texts of Regulations are available online on the Irish Statute Book website at:
www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2022/si/183/made/en/print
www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2022/si/184/made/en/print
