Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 March 2023
234. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will report on the total number of houses delivered/made available to each local authority housing applicants in each of the past two years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12216/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra235. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the extent to which it is expected to address the large numbers of applicants for local authority houses currently on waiting lists over the next two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12217/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra240. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the extent to which he can identify a suite of emergency measures such as the provision of modular houses, log-cabins or other alternatives including the liberalisation of planning applications in rural areas in order to alleviate the housing crisis for locals as well as refugees in order to urgently address the situation of people sleeping rough, living in unsafe conditions and other issues associated with homelessness of potential homelessness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12222/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 234, 235 and 240 together.
I refer to the reply to Question No. 235 of 26 January 2023 which sets out the position in this matter.
In addition, this week, I announced further measures to increase the supply of social homes including:
- an increase in the number of social housing acquisitions to 1,500 in 2023 to reduce the number of households at risk of homelessness;
- an additional 1,000 homes through Targeted Leasing initiatives in 2023 and 2024; and
- the amendment of the Capital Advance Leasing Facility used by Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) to assist them in their efforts in delivering social homes
I have also informed Government of plans to give a number of new opportunities to tenants who wish to become homeowners. These include:
- requiring a landlord selling a property to first offer it to the tenant on an independent valuation basis for sale;
- working with AHBs and local authorities to develop a bespoke ‘cost rental’ model for tenants at risk of homelessness but not on social housing supports to continue to rent their homes at existing or market rates.
