housing

The National Housing Strategy for People with a Disability (2011-2016 (extended to 2020)) will come to an end this year. A new national strategy is now being developed. The strategy is about facilitating the provision of housing options and related services to disabled people to allow individual choice and support independent living. 

Do you have a disability, care for a disabled person or work in supporting independent living for disabled persons? If yes, have your say on the plan.

We want to hear your views on the current strategy and what you would like to see included in the new national strategy. In order to get involved today, fill out this 10-15 minute questionnaire. The survey is anonymous and confidential. 

The closing date for this round of consultation is Friday 23 April. A further round of consultation on the drafted aims and objectives will be carried out over the summer and autumn months.

Thank you for taking the time to let us know your views, which will feed into the development of the new strategy.

Information you supply as part of this process will be handled in line with our Privacy Notice (read here).

Take the Survey in English   |   Take the Easy Read Survey   |   Tóg an Suirbhé as Gaeilge

	Survey Documents - English	Easy Read Survey Documents - English	Cáipéisí Suirbhé as Gaeilge
	Click here to download an editable Word version of this survey. this can be filled out and emailed to disabilitystrategy@housingagency.ie.	Click here to download an editable Easy Read Word version of this survey. this can be filled out and emailed to disabilitystrategy@housingagency.ie.	Cliceáil anseo chun leagan ineagarthóireachtas Word den suirbhé i nGaeilge a íoslódáil. Is féidir é sin a chomhlánú agus a chur ar ais tríd an ríomhphost chuig disabilitystrategy@housingagency.ie
	Click here to download and print a PDF version of the survey. This can be filled out and posted to: Disability Strategy, The Housing Agency, 53-54 Mount Street Upper, Dublin D02 KT73.	Click here to download and print an Easy Read PDF version of the survey. This can be filled out and posted to: Disability Strategy, The Housing Agency, 53-54 Mount Street Upper, Dublin D02 KT73.	Cliceáil anseo chun leagan PDF den suirbhé i nGaeilge a islodáil agus a chur i gcló. Is féidir é sin a chomhlánú agus a chur ar ais tríd an bpost chuig: An Stratéis Michumais, An Ghníomhaireacht Tithíochta, 53-54 Sráid an Mhóta Uachtarach, Baile Átha Cliath D02 KT73.

If you would like a copy of any of the above to be posted to you, please contact The Housing Agency on +353 (0)1 656 4100. 

• Watch our video to guide you through the survey.
• Watch this message from Minister of State with responsibility for Local Government and Planning, Peter Burke TD .

PRESS RELEASE

Tuesday, 18th July 2023

• Increased Cost Rental Eligibility Thresholds from 1 August 2023
• Changes to Cost Rental Equity Loan (CREL) ensuring AHBs can continue to deliver at scale

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD and the Chief Executive of The Housing Agency, Bob Jordan, today launched the new Secure Tenancy Affordable Rental (STAR) investment scheme. The Scheme aims to invest up to €750m in the delivery of over 4,000 Cost Rental homes, which will benefit from secure tenancies under Cost Rental housing legislation and will be let at a minimum of 25% below comparable market rental levels in high demand urban areas.

The Scheme, which was signaled by the government in April as a Cost Rental viability measure, will assist in addressing viability challenges for developments by providing equity investment to stimulate the creation of Cost Rental accommodation. Private providers and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) can apply to provide Cost Rental homes under the Scheme and the State will make an equity investment available in return for designation of the homes as Cost Rental homes for 50 years.

By increasing the supply of Cost Rental homes, the Scheme will benefit households who are disadvantaged by prevailing market rents, through providing an option of a home for rent at a more affordable level with security of tenure. The Scheme will also support the government’s objectives of compact growth and creating vibrant liveable cities for people who want to live close to work and urban amenities.

The STAR investment scheme will be managed by The Housing Agency on behalf of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The Housing Agency will be accepting Expressions of Interest from proposers for eligible schemes from 1st August 2023. The Scheme is open to all providers including consortiums, Approved Housing Bodies etc. subject to the eligibility criteria outlined in the Scheme itself.

Commenting on the publication of details of the new Scheme, Minister O’Brien said:

“This new Secure Tenancy Affordable Rental investment scheme will increase the supply of safe and affordable Cost Rental homes at a scale which is crucial to make the rental market work for everybody. The Government is making record investment in housing and we are using every tool at our disposal to activate sites and to boost the construction of new homes at scale. This new scheme provides another avenue for our partners in Approved Housing Bodies, the LDA and our partners in the private sector to help us achieve our ambitious plans as set out under Housing for All.”

The Housing Agency’s CEO, Bob Jordan said:

“The introduction of the Secure Tenancy Affordable Rental investment scheme is an important measure that will expand availability of the Cost Rental model and increase the supply of affordable and secure rental homes in high demand areas across Ireland. The Housing Agency looks forward to supporting the implementation of this Scheme. The first step will be inviting expressions of interest for eligible developments from the 1st August 2023.”  

In tandem with the launch of the new Scheme, the government is announcing increased income thresholds for Cost Rental homes, with net household income limits for eligibility of €66,000 in Dublin and €59,000 elsewhere. These will be introduced across the Cost Rental sector from the 1st August 2023, replacing the former national net income limit of €53,000. The increased thresholds recognise that prevailing rents in the private market have increased significantly in recent years and a large cohort of private renters are experiencing severe affordability challenges, particularly in Dublin. The new thresholds will apply to all Cost Rental homes provided under the Affordable Housing Act 2021.

The government has also agreed significant changes to the Cost Rental Equity Loan (CREL) on foot of a recommendation from the Working Group on the Cost Rental Equity Loan. The CREL is available to Approved Housing Bodies which provide Cost Rental homes. The improved loan will see availability of increased levels of loan finance, together with new State equity investment which will improve the ability of Approved Housing Bodies to bring forward Cost Rental homes.

The suite of measures, including the changes to income eligibility, the new STAR investment scheme and the changes to the Cost Rental Equity Loan will work together to ensure that all the avenues for Cost Rental delivery are exploited to achieve the levels of supply needed under Housing for All.

ENDS

Contact:

Communications Manager at communications@housingagency.ie or STARIS@housingagency.ie

Further information

Cost Rental Eligibility

The net household income limit of €53,000 for Cost Rental was set in December 2021, at the time of the first delivery of Cost Rental homes. The real value of this has been eroded by significant inflation since then as capital costs, interest rates and prevailing rents in the private market have all increased. In response new income limits have been agreed which will apply across the Cost Rental sector to all delivery streams – by AHBs, Local Authorities, the LDA, and any Cost Rental landlord. The national net income limit will be raised to €59,000, while a specific Dublin limit will be set at €66,000, to have effect from 1st August 2023.

The Secure Tenancy Affordable Rental (STAR) investment scheme

The Secure Tenancy Affordable Rental (STAR) investment scheme is intended to activate the delivery of Cost Rental homes to let at a minimum of 25% below comparable market rental levels.

The Scheme will be operated and managed on behalf of the Department by The Housing Agency. The Scheme is time limited and subject to a strict sunset clause. All units in receipt of investment will be completed by no later than two years after the commencement date or by the 31st December 2027, whichever is the shorter.

Funding of €0.75 billion will be made available under the Scheme with the expected delivery of over 4,000 homes.

Key Features of the STAR Investment Scheme

Open to all market operators: The Scheme is designed to be open to all market operators. The main criteria is that in exchange for the investment, operators must bring forward suitable proposals that:

• make available 10 plus residential units for Cost Rental tenure at rent levels of at least 25% below market levels. The proposals must deliver new units which have never been previously rented
• formally designate all units funded as Cost Rental dwellings for a period of 50 years.

It will be permissible for consortiums to apply, e.g., a developer may apply by agreement with the intended holder of the Cost Rental homes but the consortium must be led by the long-term owner, operator and manager of the units.

Level of Investment available: In recognition of the pronounced viability challenges in specific areas of Dublin, it is proposed that two rates of investment will apply under STAR, with a maximum investment of €175,000 in Dublin and €150,000 in the rest of the State. In order to incentivise green development, an additional investment of €25,000 will also be made available subject to meeting sustainable development criteria as set out in Section 7.13 of the scheme.

At the end of the term of the Agreement (50 years) there will be three options for operators:

• Extend the agreement for an agreed period (with the dwellings remaining in Cost Rental usage)
• Make a repayment to the State, together with an uplift if the asset has increased in value, and exit Cost Rental designation
• The State may exercise an option to purchase the dwellings from the owner for market value, taking account of the State’s investment in the properties

Changes to the Cost Rental Equity Loan

Overall State funding to increase from 45% up to 55% of capital costs, on a sliding scale as necessary for viability at appropriate rent levels.

CREL loans (on existing favourable terms) to be joined with new State equity investment element (up to a maximum of 20% equity).

‘Accelerated CREL’ pre-completion drawdowns to be extended to support AHBs in forward funding turn-key acquisition projects, in order to secure more competitive acquisition or development costs.

Why and how governments intervene in land markets; land value tax; public land leasing; and inclusionary zoning are just some of the topics set to feature in a new series of talks organised by The Housing Agency, The Land Development Agency, and the Geary Institute of Public Policy, UCD.

“Talking about Land” is a series of seven talks which will examine how governments in other countries intervene in the management of state lands and land markets to ensure there is adequate affordable housing supply. International experts will share their experiences with Irish practitioners and explore how they can apply their practices to an Irish context.  Each event will see an international speaker sharing a case study of land management in their respective country, followed by a speaker working in housing and land management in Ireland. 

The events will take place at 12pm on Tuesdays between early October and February 2023. The full programme is as follows:

The first session took place on Tuesday 4 October, 2022, 12pm-1pm. Speakers included Prof. Julie Lawson of RMIT University Melbourne, and Prof. Michelle Norris, Director of the Geary Institute for Public Policy, UCD. If you would like to rewatch the first session visit our YouTube channel. 

The second session took place on Tuesday 18 October, 2022, 12pm-1pm. Speakers included Silvia Hofer, Wohnfonds Wien and Niall Cussen, Office of the Planning Regulator. If you would like to rewatch the second session visit our YouTube channel. 

The third session took place on Tuesday 1 November, 2022, 12pm-1pm Speakers included Sami Haapanen, Helsinki City Council and Tom O'Donnell, Self-Organised Architecture Ireland. If you would like to rewatch the third session visit our YouTube channel. 

The fourth session took place on Tuesday 15 November, 2022, 12pm-1pm.  Speakers included Benjamin Davy, University of Johannesburg and Dearbhla Lawson, Land Development Agency. If you would like to rewatch the fourth session visit our YouTube channel. 

The fifth session took place on Tuesday 17 January, 2023, 12pm-1pm. Speakers included Professor Tony Crook, University of Sheffield and Damian Thomas, NESC.  If you would like to rewatch the fifth session visit our YouTube channel. 

The sixth session took place on Tuesday, 24 January, 2023, 12pm-1pm. Speakers included  Dr. Fabian Wenner (University of Munich) and Dr. Ronan Lyons (Trinity College Dublin). If you would like to rewatch the sixth session visit our YouTube channel. 

The seventh, and final session in the series took place on Tuesday, 7 February, 2023, 12pm-1pm. Speakers included John Wacher (Greater London Authority) and Daniel McLoughlin (South Dublin County Council). If you would like to rewatch the seventh session visit our YouTube channel. 

If you have any questions about the series, please contact training@housingagency.ie.

Multi-unit developments (MUDs) are estates where an owners’ management company, or OMC for short, is responsible for maintaining shared facilities such as gardens, amenity spaces, halls, corridors, and parking. These managed estates are often apartment buildings or duplexes, but they can also be townhouses or stand-alone houses that share common facilities. These communities rely on OMCs for them to be successful and sustainable.

With the increasing number of apartments, MUDs, and OMCs across the country, The Housing Agency is holding evening information meetings for stakeholders, including residents, owners, and directors of OMCs.

The meetings will cover:

• Challenges faced by OMCs & managed estates
• Roles and responsibilities
• Resources available
   

Events will be held at:

Clayton Hotel, Sligo
Tuesday, 25 October

Chartered Accountants Ireland, Dublin 2
Tuesday, 8 November

Boyne Valley Hotel & Country Club, Drogheda
Tuesday, 15 November

Glenroyal Hotel & Leisure Club, Maynooth
Tuesday, 22 November

Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone
Monday, 28 November

Attendance is free of charge, but registration is required.

Please register by clicking on your preferred location above, through Eventbrite, or by email to MUD@housingagency.ie.

Evening Programme

6:45pm     Registration (tea/coffee provided)
7pm          Presentation from the Housing Agency
7:30pm     Open forum
8:30pm     Closes

Information and Resources on OMCs and MUDs

Previous events in the series took place in:

• Crowne Plaza Hotel, Blanchardstown Town Centre, Dublin | Wednesday 15 January 2020
• Red Cow Moran Hotel, Dublin | Wednesday 29 January 2020
• Clayton Hotel Dublin Airport | Wednesday 5 February 2020
• Lord Bagenal, Leighlinbridge, Carlow | Wednesday 12 February 2020
• Clayton Hotel Silver Springs, Cork | Wednesday 19 February 2020
• Castletroy Park Hotel, Limerick | Wednesday 26 February 2020
• Talbot Hotel, Stillorgan, Dublin | Wednesday 4 March 2020

The Housing Agency Housing Insight Series aims to disseminate good practice in housing and innovative solutions among housing practitioners in Ireland. Issues are published quarterly and provide a case study of effective, practical implementation of a piece of housing policy or practice. The resulting short paper is intended to provide a knowledge base and provide ideas to others in the sector, building the overall capacity of the sector. The Housing Agency sources case-studies from our staff, The Housing Agency panels, housing practitioners and stakeholders. This second issue of the Housing Insights Series was published in September 2022 on the topic of Developing a Tenant Engagement Culture and Structure: The Case of Circle VHA.

This Housing Agency Policy Insights Paper describes how Circle VHA has collaborated with tenants to build a tenant engagement culture and structure. It demonstrates the benefits that can be gained – both for tenants and social housing providers – from a structural approach that embeds tenant engagement policy and practice within an organisation’s strategic vision. With the publication in 2022 by the Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority (AHBRA) of new standards requiring AHBs to actively seek input from tenants and provide opportunities for engagement on service provision, the aim of this case study is to provide information to other social housing providers developing tenant engagement structures.

You can access and read the full report here

The Housing Agency Housing Insight Series aims to disseminate good practice in housing and innovative solutions among housing practitioners in Ireland. Issues are published quarterly and provide a case study of effective, practical implementation of a piece of housing policy or practice. The resulting short paper is intended to provide a knowledge base and provide ideas to others in the sector, building the overall capacity of the sector. The Housing Agency sources case-studies from our staff, The Housing Agency panels, housing practitioners and stakeholders. This second issue of the Housing Insights Series was published in September 2022 on the topic of Developing a Tenant Engagement Culture and Structure: The Case of Circle VHA.

This Housing Agency Policy Insights Paper describes how Circle VHA has collaborated with tenants to build a tenant engagement culture and structure. It demonstrates the benefits that can be gained – both for tenants and social housing providers – from a structural approach that embeds tenant engagement policy and practice within an organisation’s strategic vision. With the publication in 2022 by the Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority (AHBRA) of new standards requiring AHBs to actively seek input from tenants and provide opportunities for engagement on service provision, the aim of this case study is to provide information to other social housing providers developing tenant engagement structures.

You can access and read the full report here

The Housing Agency hosted a briefing session on the morning of the 12th of July to discuss the expansion of the Repair and Leases Scheme.

The Repair and Lease scheme has been expanded on a pilot basis to include the following:

• vacant commercial units;
• vacant units associated with a commercial unit (e.g. over the shop);
• vacant institutional buildings;
• unfinished developments which have been vacant for a significant period of time.

Aoife Joyce from DHLGH discussed the objectives, requirements and rationale behind the expansion.

Claire Feeney from The Housing Agency discussed the operation of the scheme to include The Housing Agency’s role.

Paul Johnston from Waterford City and County Council provided an overview of their Repair and Lease activity and the benefits of the expansion.

For further information on the scheme please contact leasing@housingagency.ie

The Housing Agency’s Statement of Strategy, 2022-2024 was launched yesterday by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD.

The Statement of Strategy outlines how more affordable housing, increasing the supply of social and private homes and addressing social inclusion issues such as homelessness and ageing will be the priorities for the work of The Housing Agency over the next three years.

The Statement of Strategy frames the work of The Housing Agency under three broad themes:

1. Being a centre for housing knowledge;
2. Bridging housing supply and demand; and
3. Building capacity for housing

It outlines how, over the coming years, The Housing Agency will use research, informed policy insights and data to work to achieve a housing system that meets the housing needs of our nation and promotes viable, sustainable communities.

The Housing Agency’s Strategic Plan 2022-2024 has been framed in the context of supporting Housing for All, the Government’s housing plan for Ireland and key trends in the housing system including:

• Diverse and changing housing needs for people living in Ireland.
• Long-term government policy and strategic planning for the Irish housing system.
• A continuing focus on building inclusive, sustainable communities.

The Housing Agency’s Statement of Strategy, 2022-2024 can be read HERE 

An executive summary of the Statement of Strategy can be read HERE 

A list of actions The Housing Agency will provide input under Housing for All can be read HERE 

A recording of the session can be found HERE

The slides of the session can be found HERE

The Housing Agency’s Statement of Strategy, 2022-2024 was launched on the 27th of January 2022 by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD.

The Statement of Strategy outlines how more affordable housing, increasing the supply of social and private homes and addressing social inclusion issues such as homelessness and ageing will be the priorities for the work of The Housing Agency over the next three years.

The Statement of Strategy frames the work of The Housing Agency under three broad themes:

1. Being a centre for housing knowledge;
2. Bridging housing supply and demand; and
3. Building capacity for housing.

It outlines how, over the coming years, The Housing Agency will use research, informed policy insights and data to work to achieve a housing system that meets the housing needs of our nation and promotes viable, sustainable communities.

The Housing Agency’s Strategic Plan 2022-2024 has been framed in the context of supporting Housing for All, the Government’s housing plan for Ireland and key trends in the housing system including:

• Diverse and changing housing needs for people living in Ireland.
• Long-term government policy and strategic planning for the Irish housing system.
• A continuing focus on building inclusive, sustainable communities.

The Housing Agency’s Statement of Strategy, 2022-2024 can be read HERE 

An executive summary of the Statement of Strategy can be read HERE 

A list of actions The Housing Agency will provide input under Housing for All can be read HERE 

Press Statement

The Housing Agency to support the enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Scheme.

Tuesday, 30th November: The Housing Agency will play a central role in assisting homeowners and local authorities as part of the enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme announced by Minister Darragh O’Brien today.

As part of the measures introduced to improve the delivery of the scheme, and once a home has met the damage threshold for entry to the scheme, the Housing Agency will assist homeowners by employing engineers to undertake the testing and assessment of their homes. This will ease the financial burden for homeowners in accessing the scheme. The Housing Agency will also be supporting local authorities in their assessment and processing of applications under the scheme.

The involvement of the Housing Agency will ensure the most appropriate remediation option is recommended for each home. The Agency’s role should also help to improve the current lead-in time on the approval of grants and ultimately speed up the remediation of affected homes.

Bob Jordan, Chief Executive Officer of The Housing Agency, said:

“The Housing Agency is committed to supporting people living in homes affected by defective concrete blocks by making it as easy as possible for homeowners to access the scheme. Our involvement in the assessment and testing of homes will ensure a simplified, efficient, and cost-effective process for both homeowners and local authorities.”

The Housing Agency has built up technical expertise and knowledge through its work in implementing the Pyrite Remediation Scheme since 2014. The Housing Agency has also gained a strong understanding of the difficulties faced by homeowners by actively participating in the Working Group on the Defective Concrete Blocks Scheme.

For media queries contact Roslyn Molloy on mobile 086 0893157, communications@housingagency.ie

About The Housing Agency

The Housing Agency is a Government body working with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, local authorities and approved housing bodies in the delivery of housing and housing services.

Our mission is to promote the supply of housing to meet current and future needs and demand by being a centre of expert knowledge on housing, supporting housing policy development and implementing effective housing programmes in collaboration with key stakeholders.

For more information visit www.housingagency.ie or follow The Housing Agency on Twitter and LinkedIn.