Eoghan Kenny (Cork North-Central, Labour)
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1072. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the measures being taken to ensure fair and timely allocation of affordable homes delivered through approved housing bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58981/25]

James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Approved Housing Bodies, supported by capital funding from my Department, are delivering new Cost Rental homes, which are a key element in the Government's strategy to improve affordability in the rental sector and to provide secure, long-term homes for moderate-income households.

New Cost Rental homes must be formally designated as such under Part 3 of the Affordable Housing Act 2021. This brings the tenants within the rent limitations and security of tenure protections of Cost Rental. The designation of Cost Rental homes is arranged between the landlord and my Department, usually undertaken in parallel with the landlord receiving applications and selecting the initial tenants, limiting any potential for delay in the allocation of the homes.

My Department’s primary role in the Cost Rental housing sector is in the formulation and implementation of national-level policy, and in the preparation of legislation and guidelines. The day-to-day operation of Cost Rental, and particularly matters such as management of applications and the entry into tenancy contracts, are matters for the relevant Cost Rental landlord including Approved Housing Bodies.

All Cost Rental providers are obliged to make Cost Rental homes available in line with the provisions of the Affordable Housing Act 2021 and associated Regulations. All homes must be allocated to a tenant whose household falls within prescribed eligibility conditions. Where demand exceeds supply, the ordering of eligible applicants is randomised through a lottery, in order to ensure equal treatment regardless of time and date of application.

Since rents must cover costs, a Cost Rental landlord must be confident that a prospective tenant can afford to pay the rent every month over the long term. Therefore, under the current legislation, a Cost Rental landlord has final discretion on whether to enter into a tenancy agreement with any particular applicant.