Local councils deliver 82% of social housing target

Westmeath and Roscommon county councils have both delivered 82% of their social housing targets for the the years 2022 to 2024, according to statistics released by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage today.

The figures show that Westmeath County Council delivered a total of 386 social housing units over the three-year period and had a target of 470. In Roscommon, some 111 social housing units, out of a target of 135, were delivered over the same period.

In 2022, Westmeath County Council delivered 162 social houses compared to a target of 220, in 2023 it delivered 127 compared to a target of 124, and in 2024 it delivered 97 of its 126 target. In 2022, Roscommon County Council delivered just three social houses compared to a target of 40, in 2023 it exceeded its target of 47 by delivering 67 social housing units, and in 2024 it delivered 41 compared to its target of 48.

These social housing units were made up of local authority builds and turnkey properties, approved housing bodies builds and turnkey properties and Part V delivery. Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000 requires developers to allocate a percentage of new housing developments for social and affordable housing.

The best performing local authority in the country in terms of the percentage versus target delivery of social housing over the three-year period was Laois, which delivered 187% of its target, while the worst performing was Donegal, hitting just 46% of its target.

The figures were released today as Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne announced a new simplified and standardised process for the delivery of social housing.

Minister Browne said he would be introducing a single stage approval process for all social housing projects to increase and speed up the delivery of new homes.

This follows Cabinet approval today for this reform and a commitment in the Programme for Government to seek efficiencies by introducing a single stage approval process for all standardised social housing projects.

Minister Browne said: “I am determined to use every opportunity that exists to accelerate the delivery of homes. Clearly, there is room for improvement in the delivery of social homes countrywide and today’s changes will provide a significant improvement in how Local Authorities and Approved Housing Bodies can go about this. We have listened to the issues that have been raised by local authorities, and we are ambitious in clearing the way, where possible, for progress at pace.

“At present, own-build new social housing projects are primarily advanced by local authorities under a four stage approval process – with only those projects with a maximum value of €8m and delivering a maximum of 25 units availing of a single stage approval. This existing mix of single and four stage approval arrangements will now be replaced therefore by a new single stage approval process for all projects – providing greater scope for increased and quicker delivery.

“The single stage process and the use of standardised design layout options and specifications will streamline delivery, and I expect to see a marked increase in own-build social housing delivery from local authorities in particular. It is of urgent importance.”