Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 March 2025
77. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the plans his Department is putting in place for schemes on affordable and cost rental housing which are targeted at single people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12645/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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.
These measures, specifically the affordable purchase schemes, are primarily aimed at supporting affordability constrained households, including single applicants, with incomes too high to qualify for social housing.
In addition, the Housing for All strategy also introduced Cost Rental tenancies as a new form of long-term sustainable home rental targeted at middle-income households whose annual net household income does not exceed €66,000 in Dublin and €59,000 elsewhere. These schemes are regularly reviewed by my Department to ensure that the on-going supply of affordable housing is secured.
The recent enactment of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2024 has provided for the Minister of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to prescribe income levels for different compositions of household for cost rental tenancies. This will allow for the introduction of individual household income eligibility requirements for shared households to reflect the variety of household formations which now exist and will aim to increase access to Cost Rental to even more people by allowing them share a home with, for example friends or colleagues, within a multi-occupancy setting. My Department is now developing the required legal and policy framework to provide for these changes.
Other measures such as the Local Authority Home Loan, the Local Authority Purchase and Renovation Scheme, the Help to Buy Incentive, First Home Scheme and the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant are also available to help make home ownership more affordable.
Programme for Government 2025 commits to several measures concerning the Local Authority Home Loan, one of which is to ensure that maximum loan values align with current house prices, thus keeping the scheme accessible. My Department has commenced work on reviewing the maximum income and property price limits to ensure the scheme remains accessible and relevant for aspiring homeowners. This review should be completed by the end of Quarter 2 of 2025.
Further information on affordable housing schemes can be found on the Affordable Homes website.
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.
