Sustaining Progress - Department of Taoiseach

Chapter 2 Sustaining Progress
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2.3.1 Affordable Housing Initiative
■ The parties to the pay agreement have proposed a new Initiative aimed at further enhancing the
supply of affordable housing, with the objective of increasing the supply of such houses by 10,000
units. It is their intention that this Initiative be aimed at those who in the past would have
expected to purchase a house from their own resources but who find that they are unable to do so
in the current housing market. It is also intended that these houses would be made available for
sale to a target group defined in terms of income and/or housing need on a full costrecovery/commercial
basis. Therefore, the scheme would not impact on Exchequer or General
Government finances and would protect the funding which is available for the Local Authority
and other social and affordable housing programmes.
■ In responding to the proposal, the Government is committed to an ambitious scale of delivery
of affordable housing for the target group through this new affordable housing initiative and
the other affordable housing coming through arrangements under Part V of the Planning and
Development Act, 2000 as amended. Government will ensure that the necessary actions are taken
before the end of this Agreement to secure the achievement of this objective with measurable
progress to be made by the mid-term review.
■ In focusing on the affordable housing Initiative, it is intended that it will not detract in any way
from the continuing efforts to maintain a high level of overall housing supply which brings greater
stability to the market and greater opportunities particularly for first time buyers, nor shall it
detract from the emphasis on delivering a broad range of initiatives for lower-income groups and
those with social and special housing needs, which are described below.
2.3.2 Social and Affordable Housing Provision
■ There will be a review of the effectiveness of programmes designed to assist low-income groups,
including those with social housing needs and special housing needs, such as elderly, disabled and
homeless people and travellers. The recently published Assessment of Housing Need, which shows
increased numbers on the waiting lists of local authorities, provides greater clarity on the specific
housing needs of an increased number of applicants for social housing. In the light of this
assessment, Government will seek to ensure that it makes the best use of resources available to meet
these needs. For example, it is anticipated that the resources available in 2003 will allow for the
needs of about 12,000 households to be met through the various social and affordable measures.
■ Specific attention will be paid to ensuring greater progress in implementation of the Traveller
Accommodation Programme. The challenges involved seem particularly appropriate to the spirit
of the Social Partnership Agreement. Therefore, there will be a priority focus within this Special
Initiative on identifying and addressing the barriers encountered to-date in the implementation
of the Traveller Accommodation Programme, so as to push forward implementation within the
lifetime of the Agreement.
■ Action to tackle homelessness through the implementation of the Integrated Strategy on
Homelessness, the Youth Homelessness Strategy and the Homelessness Preventative Strategy,
and the associated Local Authority Homeless Action Plans, so as to ensure a continuum of
appropriate care and services for these vulnerable groups, including those leaving care. The
level of priority for these strategies will be maintained.