New housing plan 'treating the housing crisis as an emergency' promises to deliver for Waterford people

The new housing plan announced earlier this week will "accelerate housing" and "tackle dereliction" in Waterford. 

‘Delivering Homes, Building Communities’ builds on the progress already made under Housing for All, which has seen 137,000 homes delivered nationwide. 

A number of those were in the South East.

The new plan will ensure that the State will do more while also empowering others, particularly local authorities, the Land Development Agency, Approved Housing Bodies and the private sector to play a critical part in delivery. 

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Minister of State for Planning and Local Government John Cummins TD described the plan "a major step forward in accelerating housing delivery and tackling vacancy and dereliction across Waterford."

Key local priorities include:

• Accelerating delivery of new homes in strategic areas in Waterford.
• Unlocking serviced land for new homes through the new €1 billion Housing Infrastructure Investment Fund.
• Expanding vacancy and dereliction programmes, including an enhanced Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant to support over the shop living.
• The introduction of a new Derelict Property Tax, to bring unused properties back into use in towns and villages across the county.
• Supporting local SMEs and builders in Waterford to adopt Modern Methods of Construction, increasing speed and quality in new home delivery.
• Removing items from the planning system through exemptions which will simplify the system and free up stretched resources.
• Focussing on resources to prevent and exit families out of emergency accommodation.

"We are outlining the Government’s plan to deliver 300,000 homes in the period to the end of 2030. Significant progress has been made in recent years but of course we need to do more and we are treating the housing crisis as an emergency," Minister Cummins said.

He added that changes to the Planning and Development Act 2024 will be introduced.

This aims to streamline the planning process, including changes to Judicial Reviews, and the introduction of statutory decision-making timelines.

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The government says it will support the purchase or renovation of 90,000 properties under the Starter Homes programme.

"Affordable home ownership is also a priority for this Government. Too many people who work hard still find it difficult to get their feet on the first rung of the property ladder," Minster Cummins said. 

The plan also includes plans to allow modular-style homes in back gardens without the need for planning permission.

"This plan is about removing obstacles, unlocking serviced land and supporting local builders, councils, and communities to deliver homes at scale," Minister Cummins concluded.