Taoiseach Backs No Annual Housing Delivery Targets Amidst Rise in Assistance Payments

The Irish Government is planning to increase the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) rates to make renting more affordable for individuals facing housing difficulties. This announcement comes as Taoiseach Micheál Martin justified the elimination of annual housing delivery targets in the latest housing strategy, titled “Delivering Homes, Building Communities.”

Key Points of the New Housing Plan

The new housing plan, unveiled recently, sets an ambitious goal of delivering 300,000 homes over its duration. However, it removes yearly targets that were part of the earlier National Planning Framework, a point of contention highlighted by Mr. Martin.

• Previous annual targets were established under the “Housing for All” initiative.
• Martin acknowledged that exceeding those targets led to criticisms of them not being sufficiently ambitious.
• He reaffirmed the necessity of achieving the overall target of 300,000 homes.

Regular Updates and Review of HAP

Tánaiste Simon Harris emphasized that there will still be consistent reporting on housing completion figures and commencement notices. Additionally, a review of the current HAP levels is underway, with indications that these limits will be raised.

• The reassessment aims to adjust for years without increases in payment limits despite rising rental costs.
• Variations in HAP limits are observed based on local authority areas, complicating access to affordable housing.

Measures to Address Housing Needs

The government’s plan includes various financial measures aimed at enhancing housing availability and supporting those in need:

• €2.5 billion allocated for the Land Development Agency.
• A €1 billion fund designed to facilitate housing site development.
• €400 million ISIF equity fund targeted at assisting small builders.
• €100 million set aside for acquiring second-hand homes for long-term homeless families.

Overall Funding and Support

Over the next five years, the Department of Housing will receive total capital funding of €35.9 billion. This allocation includes €28.2 billion designated for housing initiatives and €7.7 billion for water projects. The proposed actions have received positive feedback from developers and homelessness organizations. However, there are calls for the government to ensure effective implementation and accountability for results.