Overview
- Minister for Housing James Browne presented the plan, titled Delivering Homes, Building Communities, to Cabinet today, with publication scheduled for Thursday.
- The strategy sets a five-year target of 300,000 homes, including 90,000 starter homes, and aims to boost both private-sector building and social and affordable supply.
- Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe has agreed an extra €2.5bn for the Land Development Agency to speed delivery, which could be drawn down immediately if approved and is linked to 14,000 homes by 2029, potentially lifting the LDA budget to €8.75bn.
- The plan prioritizes reducing child and family homelessness through more than €100m next year and by funding second-hand acquisitions to move long-stay families out of emergency accommodation.
- Expected measures include wider use of compulsory purchase orders, a target to return 20,000 vacant homes to use with the Vacant Refurbishment Grant, and an Expert Advice Grant for conversions, while Sinn Féin urges stronger renter safeguards and clear targets to end long-term homelessness by 2030.