Oireachtas Housing Activity - Summary Q2

Posted: Jun 23, 2023 / By: Communications Categories:

April

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage released their monthly homelessness report for February 2023, which found that 8,369 adults and 3,373 children were accessing homelessness accommodation during the week of 20th – 26th February.
The Government approved the publication of the General Scheme of the Land Value Sharing and Urban Development Zones Bill 2022.
The Housing for All Q1 2023 Progress Report was published, which indicated there were 27,309 construction commencements in the last 12 months and 10, 263 social homes were delivered in 2022.
The Cost Rental Tenant in-Situ Scheme was announced, which is available where a tenant household faces the termination of their tenancy due to the landlord’s intention to sell the property. The Housing Agency is playing a key role in the new scheme.
The Social Housing Construction Projects Status Report Q4 2022 was published and shows that 6,525 social homes are currently onsite with an additional 12,733 homes at design and tender stage. In Quarter 4 2022, 147 new The Housing Agency Page 5 of 10 construction schemes, (713 homes) were added to the pipeline. In total the Construction Status Report provides details on 30,766 new build social homes across 1,839 schemes.
The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage released their monthly homelessness report for March 2023, which found that 8,516 adults and 3,472 children were accessing homelessness accommodation during the week of 20th – 26th March 2023.

May

On 1st May, The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien, and the Minister of State for Local Government and Planning, Kieran O’Donnell, announced €83.125 million in national funding for Housing Adaptation Grants for Older and Disabled People for 2023.This is a 2.3% increase on the initial 2022 funding allocation and represents a continuation of the year-on-year increases in the grant since 2014.
On 4th May, The Cabinet agreed the publication of the Residential Construction Cost Study Report, a joint initiative of the Construction Sector Group and the government under the Housing for All strategy. The study promotes measures for a reduction in residential construction cost and increased standardisation in residential construction activities.
The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant Statistics were published for January to March 2023. The findings indicated 767 applications had been received - 379 for Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant and 387 for Derelict Property Top-up Grant. 312 applications had been approved and 43 applicated were rejected. 1 vacant property refurbishment grant had been issued by Mayo County Council.
The Department of Housing has published its monthly data on the number of Commencements Notices (residential construction starts) for April 2023.The figures for April show a 10% increase on the same month last year.

June

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage released their monthly Homeless Report for April 2023, which found that 8,665 adults and 3,594 children were in emergency accommodation during the week of 24th-30th April.
The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage released their quarterly Local Authority Homeless Performance Report for Q1 2023, which indicated during Quarter 1 a a combined total of 1,454 adults, as well as their dependants, exited or were prevented from entering emergency accommodation by way of a tenancy being created, an increase of 15% on the same period last year.
On 7th June, the ‘Our Living Islands’ policy was launched, which is a 10-year national policy for off-shore islands. The aim of the policy is to ensure that sustainable, vibrant communities can continue to live – and thrive – on the offshore islands for many years to come. This is the first new national islands policy in 27 years.
The winners of the ‘Town Centre Living’ Architectural Design Competitions were announced - providing innovative designs for four social housing schemes in town centre sites in Castleblayney, Kildare, Roscrea and Sligo.
The Department of Housing, Local Government, and Heritage is introducing a new pilot scheme to provide grants for expert conservation advice to owners of vacant farmhouses in private ownership who are availing of and/or considering the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant. The Conservation Advice Grant Scheme for Vacant Traditional Farmhouses will provide grants of up to €7,500 (ex VAT) to cover the cost of having a conservation expert with proven and appropriate expertise visit a property, conduct a survey, and compile tailored conservation advice for the property owner.