Housing for All, is the Government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade. This includes the delivery of 90,000 social homes by 2030. Housing for All is supported by an investment package of over €4bn per annum, through an overall combination of €12bn in direct Exchequer funding, €3.5bn in funding through the Land Development Agency and €5bn funding through the Housing Finance Agency. Under Housing for All, the Government will deliver 47,600 new build social homes and 3,500 social homes through long-term leasing in the period 2022-2026. Our clear focus is to increase the stock of social housing through new build projects delivered by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHB) and, with this, to reduce the numbers of social homes delivered through acquisition programmes. However, acquisitions of second hand properties for social housing fall under a number of local authority and Approved Housing Body (AHB) acquisitions programmes. On 19 January my Department issued a circular letter to local authorities advising that social housing acquisitions by local authorities and AHB CALF acquisitions in 2022 would be focussed on a number of priority areas, as follows:- One-bedroom units to deliver on Housing First and meet the short supply in this category;- Other properties that allow persons/families to exit homelessness; and- Specific housing required for/suitable for individuals with a disability or other particular priority needs.
Local authorities were also advised that limited acquisitions through the Capital Assistance Scheme will also be approved, subject to the available budget for specific vulnerable cohorts, such as housing for older people, accommodation for individuals and families who are homeless and for people with a disability.On 20 April, a further circular letter issued to local authorities in relation to social housing acquisitions. The key purpose of this circular was to advise local authorities that I had reinstated the delegated sanction to local authorities in respect of social housing acquisitions which are:(i) in one of the priority categories set out in the January circular letter;(ii) in line with acquisition cost guidelines; and(iii) can be completed during 2022.The reinstatement of delegated sanction will allow local authorities to respond more flexibility to secure acquisitions which support a household to exit or to prevent homelessness. I have requested local authorities to be proactive in acquiring properties which can prevent homelessness, including properties where a notice of termination has been issued to the tenant. Capital funding is available in my Department to support additional social housing acquisitions.
The Regulation of Providers of Building Works and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2022 came into effect on 6 July 2022. Part 11 amended the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 to, inter alia, extend the required termination notice period that tenants must receive (where there has been no breach of tenant obligations). In addition, from 6 July 2022, when landlords are serving a Notice of Termination on their tenants, they must also send a copy to the Residential Tenancies Board at the same time. Failure to send a copy to the RTB at the same time will invalidate the Notice of Termination.
Providing early intervention to people at risk of homelessness is a priority for Government and Local authorities oversee a range of homeless prevention and tenancy sustainment measures. Many of these services are operated in partnership between local authorities and NGO service delivery partners and are funded by my Department.
The HAP Placefinder Service supports households experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness, to identify and secure a HAP supported tenancy in the private rented market. Under the Placefinder service, all local authorities are provided with the options to pay deposits and advance rental payments for eligible households. I have also increased the HAP discretion rate from the previous 20%, to a maximum of 35% for all local authority areas.
