Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 November 2022
180. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he intends extending the period for local authorities to purchase homes in which a tenant is in situ into the year to ensure that all purchases are completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58538/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHousing 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. 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. Acquisitions of second hand properties for social housing fall under a number of local authority and Approved Housing Body (AHB) acquisitions programmes.
A circular, issued to local authorities in April this year, reinstated delegated sanction to local authorities in respect of social housing acquisitions that could be completed in 2022. The reinstatement of delegated sanction has allowed local authorities to respond more flexibilily 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. Local authorities have been informed that acquisitions which have commenced in 2022 but are not concluded by the end of the year will be funded by my Department in 2023. It is my intention to extend these delegated sanction arrangements into 2023.
