Government looking to simplify process to improve access to housing schemes

Irish Examiner

2 days ago

The Government is considering a simplification drive for a slew of housing schemes, as part of its updated Housing for All plan.
Multiple Government sources said that housing minister James Browne would be looking to streamline and improve access to schemes, particularly those that assist more vulnerable people.
'[Minister Browne] will be looking at how schemes can be improved,' one source said. However, they added Mr Browne did not intend to 'drastically change' existing schemes.
They added that ahead of the plan being published, other efforts were being made to ensure there were efficiencies within the system, which included the abolition of the four-stage approval process for social housing developments.
Multiple sources pointed to the large number of housing schemes in place at present, with up to 45 available for people to access. One pointed to the fact that many schemes can overlap.
Another senior source highlighted the large number of schemes in place, adding that some are 'more beneficial than others'. 'Where amalgamation is possible, it should be looked at,' they said.
In the previous Government, there were a number of new schemes introduced to assist people in accessing housing, as well as schemes for direct use by builders and developers.
These include the Croí Conaithe Cities scheme, which provides developers with funding to bridge the viability gap for the building of apartments, as well as the Secure Tenancy Affordable Rental investment scheme (STAR) which was targeted to help build cost-rental accommodation.
Croí Conaithe was introduced to help bring vacant and derelict properties back into use as family homes and rental residential units by providing grants.
For homebuyers, the First Home scheme was introduced, which would see the State provide funds to assist people to buy their home, but take an equity stake in the property.
Proposals to streamline schemes come amid calls by some homelessness prevention charities for the Government to reform schemes like the Housing Assistance Payment (Hap).
Last month, the Simon Communities of Ireland's latest Locked Out of the Market report for June found there were no properties available in Cork City that families accessing Hap would be able to rent due to being too expensive.
Across the country, there were just 32 properties available to rent for anyone accessing the higher discretionary rate of Hap. In particular, there have been calls for Hap limits to keep pace with inflation.
It is expected that the plan will be published in September, after being delayed until after the Government unveiled its revised National Development Plan – which is providing significant funding to the Department of Housing.
In total, there has been €35.9bn allocated to the department for the next five years. One senior source said the funding was a 'step' in the right direction, but there would need to be 'a lot of changes' over the years ahead.
While a formal update to the previous Government's housing plan is yet to be agreed, Mr Browne has made multiple policy changes since taking up office.
This includes the formal adoption of the new National Planning Framework, which sets out the Government's housing targets up to 2030.
This target calls for 303,000 houses to be built between now and 2030, meaning an average of 50,500 houses must be built each year.