Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 September 2024
77. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will ensure that approved housing bodies can access early-stage finance to get affordable purchase housing projects off the ground; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36997/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government has targeted delivery of 54,000 affordable homes between now and 2030, to be facilitated by local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies, the Land Development Agency and via the First Home scheme, a strategic partnership between the State and retail banks.
In the case of the Local Authority Affordable Purchase scheme, the Affordable Housing Fund is available to local authorities as a direct subvention towards the development costs of providing affordable houses. Subsidy of €50,000 - €100,000 per affordable housing unit is available to affordable purchase schemes, depending on the density of housing units per hectare on the development. A higher funding threshold of €150,000 applies to higher density cost rental homes in city areas only.
Local authorities may undertake affordable purchase schemes in conjunction with other delivery partners, including Approved Housing Bodies, the Land Development Agency, or private contractors. Funding arrangements, including the scheduling of payments, will be subject to a contractual agreement entered into between the parties i.e. the local authority as client and the Approved Housing Body or other agency as contractor.
In accordance with Part 2 of the Affordable Housing Act 2021 the administration of Affordable Purchase schemes is a matter for local authorities.
My role as Minister is to ensure that the policy, legislative and funding arrangements necessary to underpin the delivery of affordable purchase schemes to eligible applicant households are in place, and to ensure appropriate monitoring and oversight in relation to Exchequer funding provided through the Affordable Housing Fund.
