The new housing plan titled ‘Delivering Homes, Building Communities’ will pledge that a minimum of 300,000 new homes will be built by 2030.
It states that this is not an upper limit but a realistic projection of what is achievable by getting the public and private sector working effectively together.
Under the plan, the publication of which has been delayed for months, the State will deliver 72,000 social homes.
Opposition parties have already branded its launch this morning as a damp squib and accused the Government of repackaging old ideas which have failed to prevent the rise in homelessness.
The plan recognises that homelessness is the single most pressing social issue that the country faces.
It will provide dedicated capital funding of €100 million to buy second-hand properties to support the exit of families longest in homeless emergency accommodation.
It will also develop a Child and Family action plan which aims to provide 2,000 tenancies through the Housing First Programme.
There is a promise to deliver more suitable homes and choice for older people in private housing.
There will also be continued investment in high quality Traveller-specific accommodation.
90,000 starter homes are pledged under the plan which aims to support the private sector to deliver homes at much greater scale by providing more zoned and serviced land, reducing planning, legal and regulatory delays and by increasing investment in public infrastructure.
A new €400 million tranche of equity to help smaller construction companies to build homes will be included in the plan.
Today’s strategy will aim to convert more vacant shops and premises into homes with funding of up to €140,000 per property set to be made available.
There will be finance for expert advice on how best to turn these spaces into residential units.
The Above the Shop top-up grant could also be extended to include properties that are owned by small companies.
Overall, the plan hopes to bring 20,000 homes back into use through the vacant property refurbishment grant.
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