Fine Gael committed to delivery of 60,000 social houses in the next five years

Fine Gael is delivering the largest social housing programme in decades and will ensure that 60,000 social houses are provided over the next five years, according to Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy.

10,000 social houses were provided last year and 11,000 will be this year, Minister Murphy added.

He was joined at an event in Dublin by the Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform, Paschal Donohoe, who highlighted that Fine Gael is taking the longer term view on social housing with €11.6 billion committed out to 2027 under Project Ireland 2040.

Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Damien English, said that in tandem with the increased provision of social homes, Fine Gael will introduce the Social Housing Passport, which will allow people and families to move from one local authority to another.

Deirdre Duffy, who is seeking a second Fine Gael seat in Dublin Central, added that she and Fine Gael are committed to Housing First, a proven model which makes an impact on homelessness. She pointed out that, under the plan so far, 341 homeless people have a home and that 400 Housing First new tenancies will be created by the end of 2021.

Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy said:

“2020 will see the highest number of social homes added to the stock in a single year this century with 11,000 homes delivered. But we know that’s not enough.

“That’s why, over the next five years, we will deliver 60,000 social houses.

“Fine Gael is the only party which has set out a long-term, achievable vision for the social housing sector. The private sector has a role to play in delivering social homes, but this will reduce as our building programme continues to expand. It goes to show that our housing plan is driven by need, not ideology.”

Minister Paschal Donohoe added:

“Fine Gael has taken the long term view on social housing with €11.6 billion committed out to 2027 in Project Ireland 2040. This level of investment is only possible because of Ireland’s strong economic performance over the past few years. That said, we cannot be complacent about the hard won gains of recent years. To secure our economic success and to continue increasing investment in essential services and infrastructure, we need a good Brexit deal.

Minister Donohoe continued:

“It is only half time in the Brexit negotiations. Fine Gael delivered a good deal and prevented a hard Brexit in the first half. Now is not the time to risk the country’s future by changing the team as the second half begins.”

Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Damien English added:

“Overall, the needs of 27,500 people and families on housing lists will be met in 2020. This builds on the progress already made.

“But our plans go further. Fine Gael will protect the right of social housing tenants to buy their own home, but we also believe that changes to the system are needed. Under our plans, tenants will be allowed to purchase a home if they are in receipt of social housing supports for at least 10 years, up from 12 months at present, with a maximum discount of 25% of the market price allowed.

“Fine Gael will also introduce the Social Housing Passport, which will allow people and families to move from one local authority to another.

“In addition, we will create at least 400 new tenancies nationwide by the end of 2021. We will achieve this target by directing local authorities to build one-bedroom homes to reduce the number of single people on local authority waiting lists.”

Deirdre Duffy concluded by saying:

“In Dublin Central, some people remain homeless and that is not good enough. We have seen recently that it can have tragic outcomes.

“But there is a solution with Housing First. It is best international practice and it has proven to work here too. So far, 341 homeless people have been housed under the plan and 88% of these have successfully retained housing.

“As a human rights lawyer, I would like to see more investment in solutions such as Housing First. Fine Gael in Government will create at least 400 new Housing First tenancies nationwide by the end of 2021.”