Minister for Housing James Browne says he expected each local authority in the country to do everything possible to meet their housing targets this year after the Government missed their 2024 targets on new build social homes.
Figures released on Wednesday show that there was a shortfall of more than 1,400 social houses built across Ireland last year.
A target of 9,300 new builds was contained in the Government's Housing for All plan, but the actual number constructed was 7,871. It was also less than the 8,110 social homes built in the previous year, 2023.
The overall number of social homes delivered last year, which includes new builds, as well as acquisitions, was 10,595 rather than the target of 12,930.
Meanwhile, only 1,223 social homes were delivered through leasing, against a target of 2,130. The only category that met its target was acquisition at 1,501 (the target was 1,500). Notwithstanding that, the figure was also down on the 1,800 acquisitions in 2023.
Minister Browne said this had been predicted due to the downturn in private sector building output, but added it has not been as pronounced as may have been feared.
He also noted that more than 7,100 affordable home supports were delivered in 2024, which exceeded the target of 6,400.
He said he will publish quarterly performance reports that will “clearly outline” how each local authority is delivering on individual targets for new-build social housing.
On affordable housing, Mr Browne said that a record 7,126 affordable homes had been delivered in 2024, well ahead of a target of 6,400 units.
Affordable homes are delivered through a combination of means including purchases, cost rentals and the First Home Scheme whereby the State takes an equity stake in the dwelling. However, Sinn Féin has queried the figures for the latter, saying it includes approvals (not yet completed) as well as actual deliveries.
Mr Browne defended the performance of his department in both areas against the background of an overall downturn in home construction last year.
“The downturn in private sector building output raised concerns that there would be a similar hit to social housing delivery. It appears from these figures that, while there certainly has been an impact, it has not been as pronounced as may have been feared,” he said.
He added, however, that an accelerated delivery programme was under way and said he would meet the chief executives of all 31 local authorities as part of a drive to “renewed urgency” in delivery.
“Reaching our overall annual targets is dependent on each local authority meeting their target and we cannot afford for any individual local authority to fall behind,” he said.
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