Written answers

Tuesday, 2 November 2021

Department of Housing, Planning, and Local Government

Housing Policy

Photo of Cian O'CallaghanCian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats)
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406. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government when the fresh start principle as outlined in Housing for All will come into operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53253/21]

Photo of Darragh O'BrienDarragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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Housing for All is the most ambitious housing plan in the history of our State, backed up by an unprecedented financial commitment of over €4bn per annum. As detailed in Housing for All under ‘Pathway to Supporting Home Ownership and Increasing Affordability’, affordable purchase and the home loan scheme will be primarily targeted at first time buyers. However, the plan also confirms that it is intended that a ‘Fresh Start’ principle will apply for applications to these schemes. Depending on the particular scheme, this could mean that people who have been involved in a relationship breakdown or who have undergone insolvency proceedings, will be eligible to apply.

Housing for All commits to delivering an average of 4,000 affordable purchase homes per annum. Regarding the Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme, I have already commenced Part 2 of the Affordable Housing Act 2021 regarding Affordable Dwelling Purchase Arrangements. Section 10 of that Act details criteria for the assessment of applicant eligibility by a housing authority and provides eligibility in cases where a marriage, civil partnership or relationship has ended. It is intended the Regulations governing the operation of these provisions will be put in place in the near future. It is intended that upon deployment of the measure the Fresh Start principle would also apply to the new First Home Shared Equity Scheme.

With regard to Cost Rental affordable homes, the first set of Regulations under the Affordable Housing Act 2021 came into effect on 19 August, and these govern the process by which the owners of dwellings may obtain the designation of their properties as Cost Rental dwellings. With the relevant elements of the Act relating to the local authority affordable purchase scheme (Part 2) and Cost Rental (Part 3) now commenced, it is my intention to make further Regulations governing eligibility and price ceilings that will be applicable to these schemes by November 2021. These regulations will also reflect the ‘Fresh Start’ principle.

Finally, the successor to the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan, the 'Local Authority Home Loan', which will be in place later in 2021, will also apply this 'Fresh start' principle. The ‘Fresh Start’ definition will come into effect with the other changes under the Local Authority Home Loan Scheme later this year, when the new Regulations and revised Credit Policy are in place.

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