The Government’s new Housing For All plan says it will aim to “eradicate” homelesses in Ireland by 2030.
Housing for All will see €20 billion committed to build 160,000 homes over the coming five years in a bid to tackle the crisis of supply and affordability.
And Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien is adamant that “this plan will work” in tackling Ireland’s housing crisis.
The plan contains a range of actions and measures to ensure over 300,000 new social, affordable, cost rental and private homes are built by 2030.
The actions outlined in the Plan are backed by over €4 billion in annual guaranteed State investment in housing over the coming years, including through Exchequer funding, Land Development Agency and Housing Finance Agency investment.
The plan commits to over €20 billion in State investment in housing over the next five years.
In his foreword, Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien said: “At the heart of the document is a massive expansion in the role of the State in providing affordable homes for purchase and rent, while building historic levels of new social housing.
““It will give the squeezed middle starting out in life a real chance to buy their own home.
“It will give a helping hand to those struggling to make ends meet.
“It will work towards ending homelessness by 2030.
“It will help ensure vibrant cities and breathe fresh life into our towns, villages and rural communities.
“Most importantly, it will get the country back building homes.”
The plan is set out across four pathways to address the pressing housing challenges facing Ireland:
Pathway to supporting homeownership and increasing affordability
Pathway to eradicating homelessness, increasing social housing delivery and supporting social inclusion
Pathway to increasing new housing supply
Pathway to addressing vacancy and efficient use of existing stock
The Government has outlined the following actions in their multi-billion euro plan to support home ownership and increase affordability.
4,000 additional affordable homes each year for purchase
A new local authority-provided Affordable Purchase Scheme, primarily aimed at helping first-time buyers to purchase affordable housing being sold by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs). Homes will be available at an average price in the region of €250,000.
A new national ‘First Home’ Shared Equity Scheme to help first-time buyers to purchase their own home.
Delivery of affordable housing on public lands by the Land Development Agency
A newly expanded Local Authority Home Loan, which will provide lower mortgage interest rates for all new applicants and increased income limits for single applicants in areas with greatest housing requirement and affordability challenges (Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kildare, Louth, Meath or Wicklow)
2,000 homes per year to rent through ‘Cost Rental’ (a new form of tenure)
Rent reforms to address affordability for tenants caught in rent traps
For renters, the Plan commits to a number of measures including:
An average of 2,000 new cost rental homes every year with with rents targeted at least 25% below market level
Extended rent pressure zones to 2024 and rents linked to the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices
Upfront deposit and rent payments capped at two months value
Indefinite tenancies to strengthen security for renters
The Government said it will work towards eradicating homeless by 2030.
They say they will do this through a number of measures including providing 1,200 ‘Housing First’ tenancies over the next five years for people with a history of rough sleeping, or long-term use of emergency accommodation and who have complex needs.
As well as continued social housing supports and capital funding for social housing schemes.
The Government has said it is committed to taking further action to address the needs of older persons, people with a disability, those experiencing or facing homelessness, the Traveller community and refugees.
The Housing for All plan states the Government plans to rapidly increase the numbers of houses owned by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies to provide social housing and support social inclusion.
It reads: “This will help ensure the most vulnerable in society have greater access to a home.”
You can watch the full unveiling of the Housing For All Plan below
