Foreword: Building a sustainable housing future

The housing sector in Ireland, like elsewhere, is facing a series of complex challenges around delivery. A growing population, an expanding economy, changing housing requirements to cater for smaller household sizes, and an ageing population are all driving increased demand.

Increasing housing supply and improving affordability are key priorities for The Housing Agency. We do this through partnering with our key stakeholders to provide our expertise, support, and resources.

The Agency is supporting cost rental housing through the Cost Rental Equity Loan (CREL) and the Secure Tenancy Affordable Rental (STAR) schemes. We are assisting local authorities through the Land Acquisition Fund to deliver social housing and to bring vacant and derelict sites back into use through advice on compulsory purchase. These initiatives are having a positive impact on the ground.

Ambitious targets have, quite rightly, been set for new homes and those working in the sector are striving to reach these goals. Nevertheless, challenges remain.

The viability of delivering apartments for owner occupiers is a particular challenge and is something we see through our work on the Croí Cónaithe (Cities) scheme. Apartment schemes have larger structural elements, such as lifts or underground parking, which can push up the cost of construction and make schemes, that have already been granted planning permission, unviable.

Most unbuilt homes on extant planning permission in our main cities are apartments. However, through CCC, we are bridging the viability gap and progress is being made. We are unlocking existing planning permissions and the first apartments to be delivered under the scheme are now coming to the market.

Related to the challenge of viability, is that of affordability, particularly delivering homes for those on incomes just above the social housing income eligibility threshold. New affordable homes are being delivered through the local authority Affordable Purchase Scheme, and the First Home Scheme. Local authorities, approved housing bodies, and the Land Development Agency are delivering affordable purchase and rental homes. Delivering new build affordable homes, in particular apartments, requires state support.

A third, and inter-connected, challenge is the availability of zoned and serviced land. Local authorities have warned that without the right land in the right locations, delivery targets are at risk. It is hoped the revised National Planning Framework will boost the availability of zoned land for residential purposes.

Tackling our housing challenges requires a concerted effort with all stakeholders playing their part. At The Housing Agency, we are committed to meeting these challenges and helping to build a sustainable housing future for Ireland.

Martin Whelan
Chief Executive
The Housing Agency