Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 July 2024
149. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if consideration has been given to increasing the household income thresholds in the Housing (Mortgage Subsidy) Regulations in line with inflation. [30425/24]
View answerMy Department continues to provide funding to local authorities under the legacy Affordable Housing Scheme for payment of mortgage subsidy to qualifying households based on income thresholds. The Scheme was stood down in June 2011 and householders who entered into agreements prior to the standing down of the scheme remain eligible for subsidy based on income.
New affordable housing measures, as outlined in the Housing for All, aim to deliver 54,000 affordable homes between now and 2030, to be facilitated by local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), the Land Development Agency (LDA) and through the First Home scheme, a strategic partnership between the State and retail banks.
Since the launch of Housing for All, over 5,800 affordable housing solutions have been delivered. In 2023 alone, over 4,000 affordable housing supports have been delivered via our delivery partners, an output which has more than doubled since the previous year, and represents an increase of 128% on 2022 activity, which highlights the significant progress achieved to date in relation to affordable housing from a standing start. Our various schemes are now operating at scale, with this momentum continuing as the pipeline is developed.
Other measures such as the Local Authority Home Loan, the Help to Buy Incentive, the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant, and the Ready to Build Scheme are also available to help make homeownership more affordable.
