Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 September 2024
189. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the extent to which he might consider the emergency purchase of adequately priced or affordable houses in the open market to facilitate applicants who are otherwise prevented from qualifying from a local authority loan or a local authority house; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37229/24]
View answerAffordability and the chance to own a home is at the heart of the Government’s housing policy. As detailed under Housing for All, the Government plans to deliver 54,000 affordable homes, including 36,000 affordable purchase and 18,000 cost rental homes, by 2030. A comprehensive implementation strategy is in place to support the various affordable housing schemes now being delivered by a range of delivery partners.
Since the launch of Housing for All in September 2021 to the end Q1 2024, over 6,800 affordable housing supports have been delivered via Approved Housing Bodies, Local Authorities, the Land Development Agency (LDA), through the First Home Scheme, the Cost Rental Tenant-in-Situ Scheme and the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant.
Following the launch of Housing for All, I asked all local authorities to prepare Housing Delivery Action Plans. Each local authority was asked to assess the level of new housing demand with affordability constraint projected for their area based on the Housing Need and Demand Assessment Tool and plan their provision accordingly. Each local authority's Action Plan is available on their official website.
These measures, specifically the affordable purchase schemes, are primarily aimed at supporting affordability constrained households, first-time buyers and Fresh Start applicants with incomes too high to qualify for social housing, and are regularly reviewed by my Department to ensure that the supply of affordable housing is secured.
In addition, the First Home Scheme supports first-time buyers in purchasing new houses and apartments in the private market through the use of an equity share model, similar to that employed in the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme. Further, since September 2023, the First Home Scheme now supports those who wish to build their own home. The scheme is available nationwide and more information can be found at www.firsthomescheme.ie/.
Other measures such as the Local Authority Home Loan, the Local Authority Purchase and Renovation Scheme, the Help to Buy Incentive, and the Ready to Build Scheme are also available to help make home ownership more affordable.
My Department will continue to liaise with all delivery partners to further the development of the affordable housing delivery programme as outlined and to ensure that each scheme responds effectively to all affordable housing needs identified at a local level.
