40,000 homes to be delivered annually as outlined at Fine Gael Ard Fheis
The launch of the Government’s Housing For All plan marks a significant step forward in the goal to ensure everyone has the option to own their own home, and builds on Fine Gael’s work in this area, according to Mayo Fine Gael TD Alan Dillon.
Deputy Dillon said: “Housing For All sets out clear housing targets and a realistic and sustainable path to delivering on those targets. It is financially backed by €20bn of investment over five years and represents real progress for first-time buyers, for renters, and for lower income families who need additional support to meet their accommodation needs. It is built on the core vision of social inclusion and supports and empowers homeownership – something that’s really critical in Irish society.
“Before the onset of the Covid-19 Pandemic, much progress had been made in providing homes and housing of different types. Under the Rebuilding Ireland Plan started by Fine Gael in the last Government, nearly 85,000 new homes were built from the time of the plan’s launch in summer 2016 up to last year. Similarly, the plan delivered over 34,000 social homes comprising new builds, acquisitions and the refurbishment and renovation of old homes.
“Fine Gael has always maintained we must step up the level of ambition on housing output per year, and I am pleased to see the Government’s plan targets the building of 40,000 a year by 2030. The Tánaiste Leo Varadkar first outlined the target of 40,000 homes annually at our Ard Fheis in June and three months later, it is Government policy. Fine Gael’s work is all across this plan.
“We are focused on expanding the role and borrowing capacity of the LDA and extending the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan to more people struggling to buy their first home. It already has lent over €354 million to help almost 2,100 households buy their first home.
“The plan ensures that 20% of all developments are set aside for affordable and social homes and also commits to reforming the Local Authority Home Loan scheme.
“The Rent Pressure Zones which were introduced by Fine Gael in the last Government, will be extended to 2024, and we will ensure any rent increases are capped at the rate of inflation and also cap upfront deposit and rent payments at two months value.
“We also want to support older people in their housing options. We will explore changes to stamp duty in cases where a household chooses to right-size to a new home that better suits their needs. We are also working to ensure the continued delivery of Age Friendly housing with homes designed to suit the needs of older people, as well as continuing to facilitate the use of homes of people in the Fair Deal Scheme.
“Housing for All is a living plan with ambitious but achievable targets to ensure that responsibly built, high-quality, sustainable, comfortable and secure homes are available for all”, concluded Deputy Dillon.
Commenting following the publication of the plan, Mayo Fianna Fail Senator Lisa Chambers said, “The housing situation in Mayo has followed the same course as the rest of Ireland. We have limited supply and significant demand resulting in ever increasing rent prices and cost of purchasing a home. This has left many young people and families struggling to secure a home. This plan is focused on supply and affordability to directly tackle the barriers to securing a home in Mayo.”
