The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage published the Q3 social and affordable housing delivery statistics following the standard and necessary verification processes.
The figures, which are largely in line with delivery during the same period in 2022, indicate that the strongest delivery in social housing will be seen in Q4 of this year which is typical in housing delivery. Affordable delivery in the first three quarters of 2023 has already exceeded what was delivered in 2022.
The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD said he was particularly pleased that current pipeline figures indicate that this year’s delivery of social homes is set to exceed last year’s output – which was the highest level of delivery since 1975.
The latest figures show that 2,528 new social homes were delivered by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies in Quarter 3, including 1,252 new-build homes, 573 acquisitions and 703 homes delivered through leasing programmes.
Including Housing Assistance Payment (2,065) and Rental Accommodation Scheme (369) 4,962 housing supports were delivered in Quarter 3.
Overall, in the first 9 months of 2023, 4,815 new social homes were delivered by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies, including 2,642 new-build homes, 1,033 acquisitions and 1,140 homes delivered through leasing programmes. When the Housing Assistance Payment and Rental Accommodation Scheme are added, 12,184 housing supports were delivered in the first three quarters of 2023.
Traditionally, the delivery of social housing by local authorities builds throughout the year and the bulk of delivery is achieved in Q4. This was the case in 2022 when 10,263 social homes were delivered (11.9% increase on 2021 figures) – the highest annual output of social homes in decades and the highest level of delivery of new-build housing since 1975.
Minister O’Brien pointed out, “the current social housing pipeline indicates that last year’s record will be exceeded this year. The latest Construction Status Report shows the social housing pipeline is strong, with over 23,600 homes either onsite or at design and tender stage at the end of Q3 2023. Indeed, during Quarter 3 2023, 160 new construction schemes – almost 2,200 new homes – were added to the pipeline.”
“This delivery of social housing reflects the improvement in the overall housing sector, where 26,547 homes have been commenced in the first ten months of 2023 – a 16.6% increase on the same period last year. Furthermore, the latest CSO data on completions shows that that 22,443 new homes were completed in the first nine months, an 8.9 % increase on last year and the highest number of completions recorded for the first three quarters of any year since the CSO data series began in 2011.”
“This week we had more great news as Housing Body Respond announced several new home-building construction projects in Dublin that will deliver over 2,900 new social and cost rental homes upon completion. I am also aware that there will be news shortly from the Land Development Agency regarding the delivery of significant numbers of new social and affordable homes. We have a gathering momentum in the delivery of homes – whether private, social or affordable – and we intend to keep our foot on the pedal throughout 2024 to build on this progress.”
Today’s data from the Department also showed that to the end of Q3, over 2,000 affordable housing supports were delivered via Approved Housing Bodies, Local Authorities, the Land Development Agency (LDA), the Cost Rental Tenant-in-Situ (CRTiS) scheme and through the First Home Scheme.
Over 2,500 First Home Scheme approvals have issued in the 15months since launch in July 2022, over 1,800 of which have been issued in 2023.
Following delivery of the first Affordable Purchase homes in a generation, made available in 2022, over 150 Local Authority Affordable Purchase homes have been delivered in the first three quarters of this year. 1,015 affordable purchase homes have been advertised to date by local authorities in Carlow, Cork City, Cork County, Fingal, Kildare, Meath, Limerick, South Dublin, Waterford, Westmeath and Wicklow.
Just last month the Minister announced funding of €24m for 250 affordable purchase homes in Dublin alone.
These new affordable homes compliment the direct grants available for individuals and families to refurbish a vacant or derelict property. Up to €70,000 euro is available as a direct State support ensuring there are further options for those who wish to own their own home.
To date, there are over 800 Cost Rental homes in the State delivered by Approved Housing Bodies (AHB’s), Local Authorities and the LDA. In addition, the Minister approved Cost Rental Equity Loan funding of €424m for Approved Housing Bodies which will support the delivery of over 1,650 new cost rental homes.
Minister O’Brien added, “a very ambitious programme of affordable housing is now in place. New Government measures such as the increased financial support for delivery of Cost Rental homes by Approved Housing Bodies and the new Secure Tenancy Affordable Rental scheme, aim to address viability challenges in the sector and activate uncommenced sites for the provision of affordable housing. This momentum will continue as the pipeline of affordable housing delivery is developed and expanded by local authorities, by AHBs and by the LDA.”
