The Government will today launch its housing plan titled Housing for All, with the multi-billion euro strategy set to detail guaranteed spending plans for the next five years.
The coalition government has identified the housing crisis as it’s priority issue. Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien is also expected to announce planning exemptions to develop homes above shop and business premises. The long-awaited plan commits to a €4 billion annual investment in housing.
It sets yearly targets across social, affordable and cost rental housing. Up to and including 2030, the Government is aiming to deliver 300,000 homes. This would include 90,000 social homes, 36,000 affordable homes and 18,000 cost rental homes. The remainder would be provided by the private sector. Changes to preservation orders on older homes, in an effort to make it easier to restore them, will also form part of the strategy.
The plan is also aiming to tax vacant properties and sites. The Housing Commission will examine the wording for a referendum that would enshrine the right to housing in the constitution. Housing completions this year could top 22,000, according to a recent analysis by Banking and Payments Federation Ireland.
According to the Central Bank, around 34,000 units would need to be completed here every year for the foreseeable future in order to meet demand.
