Minister O’Brien announces additional measures to increase supply of social homes as winter eviction ban is phased out

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien, has today (7 March 2023) announced additional measures to increase the supply of social homes to coincide with the phasing out of the winter eviction ban in accordance with the terms of the Residential Tenancies (Deferment of Termination Dates of Certain Tenancies) Act 2022.
This Act provided for a stay on eviction notices for the period up to 31 March 2023, with deferred tenancy terminations taking effect over a staggered period from 1 April to 18 June 2023.
Minister O’Brien also informed Cabinet of plans to give a number of new opportunities to tenants who wish to become homeowners. These include:

• requiring a landlord selling a property to first offer it to the tenant on an independent valuation basis for sale
• working with AHBs and local authorities to develop a bespoke ‘cost rental’ model for tenants at risk of homelessness but not on social housing supports to continue to rent their homes at existing or market rates

Minister O’Brien separately asked Government to note the measures being taken to put in place additional accommodation to mitigate the impact of the end of the emergency period. These include:

• an increase in the number of social housing acquisitions to 1,500 in 2023 to reduce the number of households at risk of homelessness
• an additional 1,000 homes through a Targeted Leasing initiative with more than 600 of those to be delivered in 2023
• the amendment of the Capital Advance Leasing Facility used by Approved Housing Bodies to assist them in their efforts in delivering social homes

Commenting Minister O’Brien said:
“Government have considered a number of courses of action in advance of the ending of the winter moratorium period and believe that a focus on new supply is the best way forward. In 2023 we have plans to deliver an additional 2,000 social homes through acquisitions and leases and these are on top of the 9,100 new builds we have targeted.”
With regard to supply, the Minister pointed out that during the period of the moratorium delivery of social housing continued at pace. In the last three months of 2022, it’s estimated that approximately 4,800 new build social housing homes were delivered, along with 430-530 acquisitions and 600 lease arrangement put in place to provide further capacity. As well as that, during the period or the moratorium 1,532 local authority homes were refurbished under the voids programme and restored to use.
Minister O’Brien added:
“Government know that we must do more to increase supply and protect renters while trying to keep small landlords in the system. I also asked the government to note that my department has commenced a review of the Private Rental Sector which will inform Government on the measures which need to be taken to ensure a well-functioning private rental sector in Ireland that works for all.
“Over the coming months both I and my department will work with our partners in Government to put together a comprehensive new package of effective measures for both tenants and landlords."