Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 February 2023
320. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of affordable cost rental homes delivered by AHBs and the LDA in 2022; the breakdown by local authority area; the number of units in each scheme; and the average rent being charged. [8758/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraCost Rental was introduced through the Affordable Housing Act 2021. Cost rental is targeted to deliver at least 25% below market level and at households with incomes above the social housing limits, but who cannot afford to purchase or rent their own home on the open market. Cost Rental provides tenants with secure tenancies in sustainable, long-term homes. Under the Cost Rental model, rents for homes are set to cover only the cost of financing, building, managing and maintaining the homes. Importantly, one of the conditions of this scheme is that households must have net income (i.e. the level of income after tax) of less than €53,000.
The first Cost Rental homes were delivered in 2021, and 2022 saw significant delivery of further Cost Rental homes by Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) via the Cost Rental Equity Loan and the first Cost Rental homes delivered via the Land Development Agency (LDA).
Local authorities have begun systematically collating information on delivery of affordable purchase and cost rental homes in their administrative areas, including validated delivery from AHBs and the LDA, in the same manner as is currently undertaken for social housing. 2022 year end returns are currently being submitted by local authorities to my Department. Informed by this data, I expect that my Department will be in a position to report the confirmed local authority wide 2022 social, affordable purchase and cost rental housing delivery by the end of Q1 2023.
