New developments must currently have 10% of the units marked for social housing. The proposals put forward by the Minister for Housing would allow up to 20% of the units to be marked for social housing or affordable housing. The new proposal forms part of the Minister for Housing new 2021 policy which may be published in July 2021. The proposal will be a change to the current Planning and Development Act.
Alongside the proposal to increase social and affordable units in development, the Minister also introduced the Affordable Housing Bill, the Land Development Agency Bill, and the Housing for All policy.
The Land Development Agency Bill will allow housing developments to be built on lands that are owned by the State.
The Housing Minister, Darragh O’Brien expressed his concern that the average age of people buying a house in Ireland has increased from 26 years in 1991 to over 35 years now.