John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

The needs of 14,686 households were met through the full range of social and affordable housing measures in 2006. The total number of social housing units completed by local authorities and the voluntary and co-operative housing sector in the first six months of 2007, at 3,167 units, is up 33% on the first six months of 2006 and represents the strongest level of activity on the programme this decade. In addition, 450 new units were acquired under the rental accommodation scheme.

Funding has been provided in 2007 to meet the commitments in Towards 2016 to start or acquire 9,000 units of social housing. This will be through a combination of local authority, voluntary and co-operative housing units and new supply under the rental accommodation scheme. Good momentum is being made in achieving these targets, with 11,500 social housing units in progress at the end of June 2007

While comprehensive information on the numbers applying for all affordable housing schemes is not collected by my Department, the indications are that demand for affordable housing remains strong in certain areas, particularly in the greater Dublin area and near other major urban centres. In response, increased affordable housing activity is evident, supported in particular by the continued increase in momentum under Part V of the Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2006.

Following a 20% increase in overall affordable housing delivery in 2006, when over 3,200 units were provided, output in the first six months of 2007, at 1,192 homes, is up 5% on the corresponding period last year. In excess of 5,000 units were in progress at the end of June 2007 and a strong focus on delivery continues to be maintained to gain further momentum towards the achievement of the 5,000 unit target for this year. This is being supported by the work of the affordable homes partnership, which has a particular focus on initiatives to increase the supply of affordable housing in the greater Dublin area.

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