Pathway to eradicating homelessness, increasing social housing delivery and supporting social inclusion

The government is committed to meeting the needs of the most vulnerable in society through the introduction of measures to eradicate homelessness, increase social housing delivery, and social inclusion.

Among the main actions underway in this pathway committed to or delivered are:

• Legislation enacted in 2021 that caps any rent increases in a Rent Pressure Zone at 2% per annum pro rata when the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices is higher
• Provision of 1,319 supported Housing First tenancies between 2022 and 2026 for people with a history of rough sleeping or long-term use of emergency accommodation, and with complex needs
• A National Homeless Action Committee to better coordinate policy measures and actions has been established
• €250m of funding provided to further support families and individuals experiencing homelessness
• A three-year Youth Homelessness Strategy, launched in November 2022, which is working towards ending homelessness for young people aged 18-24 through prevention, and improving the experience of young people accessing emergency accommodation
• Provide capital funding for housing for specific vulnerable groups that are eligible for Capital Assistance Scheme funding. These include older persons and persons with a disability
• An Age Friendly Homes portal and website, which was launched in June 2021, to provide a central hub of resources, guidance and information on age friendly housing
• Publication of the final implementation report, on 22 June 2022 of the Housing Options for Our Ageing Population policy statement
• Improvements in the quality and quantity of Traveller-specific accommodation
• End long-term leasing of social housing by local authorities
• Conduct an in-depth analysis of land available to underpin social housing delivery out to 2030, taking account of the data available from the Local Authorities Housing Delivery Action Plans, and identify the land gap remaining
• Put in place a strategy to assist local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) to identify and acquire suitable land banks to support the ongoing social housing need out to 2030
• A review of the structure and operation of Capital Advance Leasing Facility to assess whether any refinements to the facility are required to support delivery of social housing by the AHB sector across a wider range of local authority areas. This review was published in March 2023 and reforms will be implemented
• Carry out a review of the Rental Accommodation Scheme to consider the role of the scheme in the private market, taking account of the impact of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) and AHB participation. The findings will be implemented
• Revised social housing income eligibility limits, which came into effect in January 2023
• Ensure mid-term reviews by local authorities of their Traveller Accommodation Programmes are appropriately utilised to inform delivery to the end 2024
• To provide housing and supports to facilitate community integration of refugees, commence planning for an updated longer-term approach to housing needs, taking account of the latest migration impacts (including the impact of war in Ukraine).

Read this pathway of ‘Housing for All’ in full.

New improved funding model to prompt funding applications for thousands more social homes

On 22 March 2023, changes were announced to the Capital Advance Leasing Facility (CALF) funding model, the main funding scheme used by the Approved Housing Bodies (AHB) sector to provide social housing. The changes will address the challenges faced by the sector in accessing income to build social houses, particularly in rural towns and villages.

Funding approval applications for thousands of AHB-provided homes are expected to follow for areas where AHB-provided schemes were previously less viable.

Read more about the improved funding model for Approved Housing Bodies

Additional measures to increase supply of social homes as winter eviction ban is phased out

On 7 March 2023, the government announced additional measures to increase the supply of social homes to coincide with the phasing out of the winter eviction ban in accordance with the terms of the Residential Tenancies (Deferment of Termination Dates of Certain Tenancies) Act 2022.

This Act provided for a stay on eviction notices for the period up to 31 March 2023, with deferred tenancy terminations taking effect over a staggered period from 1 April to 18 June 2023.

Read more about the additional measures to increase supply of social homes

2,307 vacant social homes returned to active use

On 9 February 2023, figures were published showing 2,307 vacant social homes were brought back into active use in 2022 under the Voids Programme. This is just above the anticipated figure of 2,273 vacant social homes, indicating that the intensive work in 2020 and 2021 by local authorities in this area has reduced the number of vacant social homes. The Voids Programme supports local authorities in preparing vacant homes for re-letting.

Making more efficient use of existing housing stock is a key action in the government’s Housing for All plan. The Voids Programme builds on the ongoing work to tackle vacancy and dereliction and bring vacant properties into re-use for housing.

Read more on the return of vacant social homes to active use

“Town Centre Living” Architectural Design Competition launched

On 27 January 2023, Minister Darragh O’Brien and the President of The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland, Charlotte Sheridan, launched the 'Town Centre Living’ Architectural Design Competitions for the design of four social housing schemes, with one in each of four town centre sites across the country.

The competitions aim to encourage innovative design for social housing within town centres and progress the government’s Town Centre First policy’s objectives of compact growth and town-centre revitalisation. The competitions also seek to encourage more architectural firms to compete for social housing design projects.

Read more about the architectural design competition

Almost 600 new social homes to be delivered in Cork, Kildare, Monaghan, Sligo and Wicklow

On 9 January 2023, Minister O’Brien welcomed the launch of a further bundle of projects under the social housing Public Private Partnership (PPP) Programme, Bundle 6.

The launch builds on the successful social housing PPP programme being delivered by the National Development Finance Agency, in conjunction with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and relevant local authorities.

Read more about nearly 600 new social homes to be delivered

New income eligibility limits for social housing take effect

On 1 January 2023, the government announced that new income eligibility limits for social housing have taken effect. From 1 January 2023, social housing income eligibility thresholds in Local Authorities across the country have been increased by €5,000.

Read more about the eligibility limits for social housing

Almost 6,000 people remaining in their homes due to Mortgage to Rent scheme

As of 08 December 2022, Mortgage to Rent (MTR) applications approved across the country have passed the 2,000 mark milestone since the scheme’s commencement. Minister O’Brien has urged anybody who is at risk of losing their home to consider the scheme and also engage with the other government supports and advice available.

Mortgage to Rent helps people who are at risk of losing their homes due to mortgage arrears. The 2,000 cases completed to date (since the scheme commenced in 2012) are benefitting 5,910 people (3,249 adults and 2,661 children).

Read more about the Mortgage to Rent scheme and whether you qualify

First Youth Homelessness Strategy in over 20 years launched

On 9 November 2022 the Youth Homelessness Strategy 2023-2025 was launched. The first Youth Homelessness Strategy in two decades, it sets out 27 distinct actions to prevent young people entering homelessness, to improve the experiences of young people in emergency accommodation and to assist young people to exit homelessness.

Read more about the Youth Homelessness Strategy

New ‘Housing First’ National Implementation Plan 2022-2026 launched

On 20 December 2021, the Housing First National Implementation Plan for 2022-2026 was launched. The Housing First programme provides those people with a history of rough sleeping, or long-term use of emergency accommodation, and who have complex needs, with a home for life with key wraparound health and social supports. The Plan will provide 1,319 new supported tenancies and wrap-around supports to keep tenants in their homes.

Read more on the‘Housing First’ Plan

Housing First Plan for Homeless People

Eradicating Homelessness

Enhancing the Mortgage to Rent Scheme