Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 September 2022
596. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will provide an update on a new local authority-led affordable purchase scheme under Housing for All, targeting average prices of €250,000. [43308/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe local authority affordable purchase scheme, the legislative basis for which is set out in the Affordable Housing Act 2021, allows local authorities to make homes available to qualified purchasers at a discount from market values. I have signed two sets of Regulations which underpin the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme, made under the provisions of Part 2 of the Affordable Housing Act 2021. The Regulations provide the basis for the making available of affordable purchase homes by local authorities and the administration of sales.
The Affordable Housing (No. 2) Regulations 2022 prescribe, among other things, the notification of affordable dwelling schemes to the public, the use by Local Authorities of schemes of priority, the calculation of home purchase prices and the equity shares to be taken by the Local Authority, and the minimum payment for a homeowner redeeming the Local Authority's equity interest. The text of these Regulations is available online at: www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2022/si/184/made/en/print
The prices at which affordable homes are made available are determined by local authorities for each scheme having regard to a range of factors including, the cost of construction, cost of land, scheme density which impacts on the subsidy available, and local market values.
Funding is made available by Government to assist local authority delivery of affordable housing, for purchase and rent, through the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF), open for applications from local authorities since 1st September 2021. Before making an application a local authority must satisfy itself that a strong demand for affordable housing is evidenced by a Housing Need and Demands Assessment (HNDA) or other verifiable data indicating a strong evidence-based affordable housing need.
The planned delivery of affordable housing, in accordance with the Affordable Housing Act 2021, is set out in local authorities' Housing Delivery Action Plans. Preparation of the Plans allowed each local authority to assess the level of demand with affordability constraint in their area based on the Housing Need and Demand Assessment and plan provision accordingly. They provide a comprehensive national overview of projected delivery of affordable housing.
