The Government’s long-awaited National Housing Plan is expected to be released on Thursday morning, setting out the strategic framework for housing over the next five years and beyond.
It is understood that Housing Minister James Browne will place significant emphasis on tackling child and family homelessness, with plans to allocate more than €100 million next year to support families who have been on the housing list the longest, reports RTE.
Last week, he declared: “I am going to end the housing crisis in my term and I believe that can be done,” reports RTE.
However, the latest figures from the Department of Housing show that 16,614 people were living in emergency accommodation in September, including a record 5,238 children.
The Housing Plan, which has been delayed for several months, is also expected to promote a stable policy environment aimed at encouraging increased private sector investment in homes and apartments, reports RTE.
It is likely to include an expanded role and remit for the State’s Land Development Agency, enabling it to deliver a greater number of starter homes.
In addition, the Housing Plan is anticipated to push for more widespread use of compulsory purchase orders by local authorities to tackle derelict and vacant properties, reports RTE.
Other proposed commitments include a target to bring 20,000 homes back into use through the Vacant Refurbishment Grant, along with an Expert Advice Grant designed to help convert unused homes and vacant shop spaces into residential accommodation.
The Housing Plan is expected to be reviewed by the Cabinet’s Housing Committee tomorrow, assessed by the full Cabinet on Wednesday, and officially published on Thursday morning, reports RTE.
Sinn Féin housing spokesperson Eoin O’Broin has cautioned that the plan “must be more ambitious” than its predecessor, particularly regarding funding levels, targets, and the delivery of social and affordable housing.
He called for stronger protections for renters facing rising costs and eviction, as well as “clear, measurable targets to end long-term homelessness by 2030,” reports RTE.
The Dublin Mid-West TD also said the Housing Plan should include activation measures for small and medium-sized builders and developers to deliver homes affordable to workers.
He added that there must be increased staffing in both planning authorities and planning courts to accelerate decision-making and reduce delays, reports RTE.
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