Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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97. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he intends to introduce any supports, such as HAP, for households who are facing eviction or seeking accommodation but cannot afford current market rents but are above the social housing income thresholds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11856/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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Government is committed to meeting the needs of everyone by increasing the supply of homes through our Housing for All Plan. Since October 2022, over 5,000 new build social homes were delivered, over 500 homes were acquired by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies, and over 600 homes were delivered through leasing programmes.

In January, we increased the social housing income thresholds which brought more people in to the catchment for social housing supports such as HAP. For those who remain over the social housing income limits who face affordability issues, we are rolling out cost rental which will provide rents which are, at least, 25% below market value. We have already delivered over 500 Cost Rental homes in the last year and our target is for 18,000 Cost Rental homes to be delivered by 2030.

In terms of the phased approach to lifting the evictions moratorium, the following initiatives will help boost supply:

-Introducing an additional 1,000 targeted leasing units;

-Securing 1,500 tenant in situ purchases in 2023;

-Overhauling CALF funding to boost supply;

-Building over 9,100 Social Housing units this year;

-Introducing Short Term letting restrictions; and

-Expanding emergency accommodation by adding 2,000 new beds.

The Government is also committed to introducing new measures and protections for landlords and tenants such as:

- “Opportunity to buy” - to allow tenants to buy their home;

- cost rental backstop for tenants at risk of homelessness but above social housing limits;

- Renters tax credit will remain in place to 2025.

The challenges arising in the housing market are under constant review right across Government and we will do what needs to be done to deliver Housing for All.