Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 May 2022
299. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the breakdown of the affordable housing targets funded by the affordable housing fund for County Wexford from 2022 to 2026. [24411/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraNational affordable housing delivery targets were published in Housing for All for 2022 – 2030. Overall targets to 2030 include 54,000 affordable housing units. Within that, the target for affordable purchase homes is 36,000 dwellings, with a further 18,000 to be cost rental units. From 2022 to 2026, over 28,000 affordable homes are targeted for delivery.
Funding is made available by Government to assist local authority and AHB delivery of affordable housing, for purchase and rent, through the Affordable Housing Fund, previously known as the Serviced Sites Fund (SSF), and the Cost Rental Equity Loan (CREL).
Wexford County Council received SSF funding approval for a development in Ramsfort Park in Gorey, Co Wexford which will assist in the delivery of 23 affordable purchase homes. Wexford County Council has advised my Department that it is their intention to appoint a contractor with a view to work on this project commencing in early 2023.
No specific target has been set for Wexford County Council regarding the provision of affordable housing and it is a matter for the local authority to consider whether a particular requirement for affordable housing arises and whether it will bring forward specific affordable schemes. My Department and the Housing Agency are available to assist in this regard. Where local authorities have localised affordability challenges in key towns, they can apply to my Department for funding to develop affordable housing schemes where they can demonstrate that an affordable scheme is needed and they can meet the eligibility criteria for the Affordable Housing Fund.
No local authority is excluded from making applications under the Affordable Housing Fund and all local authorities are encouraged to bring forward affordable schemes where they are needed.
The First Home shared equity scheme, under Part 4 of the Affordable Housing Act, will primarily support first-time buyers purchasing newly constructed homes on the private market. This scheme will be available at a national level, including in Wexford, and will incorporate regional price caps reflecting median house price sales. Confirmation of the final details of this scheme is ongoing in conjunction with the relevant stakeholders and it is anticipated that the First Home scheme will be available for applications in the second half of this year.
