Housing for All E-zine July 2024
Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
News & updates from the Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage
Strong house-building momentum and sectorial reform highlighted in latest Housing for All quarterly update
The Q2 2024 Housing for All Progress Report was published on 16 July by the Simon Harris , Darragh O'Brien TD and Roderic O'Gorman . It showed the strong momentum in the delivery of new homes has continued and that significant progress has been made on necessary reforms to continue this trajectory.
Report highlights:
The First Home Scheme is making affordable home ownership a reality with over 4,850 approvals in first two years of the scheme,
Proposed target of 8-week turn-around time in conveyancing and probate,
Approval by Government of establishment of new independent Building Standards Regulator to ensure no repeat of past mistakes.
Number of new homes commenced in first half of 2024 doubles?
Commencement figures published on 18 July showed that the number of new homes starts in the first six months of 2024 was over double the figure for the first half of 2023.
The figures showed:
A total of 33,784 units commenced in the first six months of 2024. This is more than double (117%) the 15,561 from the same period in 2023,
The number of commencements for the first half of 2024 is now greater than the number commenced in the whole of 2023 (32,801),
In the last 12 months (July 2023 to June 2024), there have been 51,024 units commenced, up 80% from the previous 12 months.
First Home Scheme extended to benefit more buyers
From 1 July more first-time buyers became eligible for the First Home Scheme when the price ceilings for the scheme were increased by €25,000 across 14 counties.
The First Home Scheme helps first-time buyers to bridge the gap between their mortgage, deposit and the price of a new home.
The new price ceilings mean that every new house valued at €350,000 or less will be eligible for the scheme, irrespective of its location in Ireland.
Minister O'Brien said:?
“This is positive news for first-time buyers as the changes will extend the reach of the First Home Scheme and make it easier for more people to avail of the scheme. The scheme has been a big success in making home ownership a reality for people who would have been unable to bridge the affordability gap."
Minister O’Brien sets out next steps in revision of housing targets
At the beginning of July, the ESRI published a paper estimating that 44,000 new homes needed to be built each year to meet demand.
Noting this paper, Minister O'Brien has set out the next steps. These include:
Draft Revision of National Planning Framework open for public consultation
You can now make a submission to the revision of the Draft National Planning Framework (NPF). The NPF is the overarching policy and planning framework for the social, economic and cultural development of Ireland to 2040.
The revision focuses on the need to update the framework in order to reflect changes to Government policy since its initial publication six years ago, in areas such as climate transition, regional development, demographics, digitalisation and investment and prioritisation.
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Taoiseach marks progress in housing delivery at visit to Clonburris, west Dublin
On 12 July, Taoiseach Simon Harris visited Clonburris in west Dublin to view ongoing development of Dublin’s newest neighbourhood, which is set to become home to 23,000 people.
More social and affordable homes becoming available to rent and buy
A central pillar of Housing for All is to increase delivery of different forms of housing to meet different housing needs. This includes new homes to buy or rent at below market rates, as well as social homes.
New cost rental and affordable purchase homes have been launched recently with others opening for application shortly.
Tánaiste opens road infrastructure to support 2,500 new homes in Cork
Critical infrastructure development which will support 2,500 new homes, three schools, a neighbourhood centre and a railway station in the Water-Rock Urban Expansion Area in Midleton was opened by Micheál Martin on 12 July.
The works funded by the Government’s Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund (LIHAF) and Cork County Council includes 1.7km of link roads, surface water drainage, public lighting and landscaping.
Land Development Agency progresses plans for 350 new homes in Dublin and Galway?
The The Land Development Agency (LDA) is an important delivery partner for Housing for All. They co-ordinate public land to provide social and affordable homes for purchase and rent.
Consultation on 145 affordable homes in west Dublin: The LDA are seeking feedback on the delivery of 145 affordable homes in Cherry Orchard: This includes a low density neighbourhood comprising approximately 145 new 2 to 3-storey affordable purchase houses and duplex units. If approved, it will allow for the delivery of a vibrant and sustainable community with facilities including commercial/retail units, community spaces and a childcare facility. LEARN MORE
Plan published for 200 social & affordable homes in Galway: The LDA have published a new draft Site Development Framework for a mixed-use development, which includes affordable and social housing as well as civic and cultural amenities at Dyke Road, at the edge of Galway’s city centre. The Site Development Framework provides details on the planned delivery of 219 one, two and three-bedroom apartments. It's envisaged that 90% of the homes will be cost rental with 10% social. LEARN MORE
More social and affordable homes opened and launched?
Under Housing for All, an ever greater number of social and affordable homes are being delivered. In recent weeks, official openings and launches have taken place throughout the country in several locations.
Local Authority Purchase and Renovation Loan goes live
The loan, which is an expansion of the Local Authority Home Loan, will support both the purchase and renovation of homes which are eligible under the existing Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant.
This reinforces the Government’s commitment to bring homes back into use.
Housing for All homepage: The Housing for All webpage contains information on the plan, including a detailed outline of the objectives and actions under each of the plan's pathways.
Quarterly progress reports: Quarterly progress reports set out performance to-date against the targets and actions set out in the plan in a clear and comprehensible way.