Cabinet to discuss move to allow local authorities zone more land for housing
Local authorities will be able to zone more land for housing under changes to the National Planning Framework which will be discussed by a Cabinet committee later.
The Cabinet Committee on Housing will examine immediate Government priorities in advance of the publication of a new comprehensive housing plan later this year.
Tomorrow, a move to provide an extra €450 million to build more social, affordable and cost rental homes this year and next is expected to go to the Government.
Before that, a Cabinet committee will today likely prioritise legislation to tighten the regulations around Airbnb and other short-term lets.
The Short-Term Letting and Tourism Bill would require these properties to be registered and to comply with planning guidelines.
There is a hope in Government that it could bring up to 12,000 homes back to the long-term rental market.
The issue of rural wastewater treatment has been identified as a priority by Tánaiste Simon Harris, as it is impinging the delivery of new housing.
There will also be a focus on incentives to build apartments in urban areas.
This could include fresh regulations to lower building costs, promoting new building methods and publishing standard design plans.
Ministers will also discuss the setting up of a new Strategic Housing Activation Office to accelerate home building by unblocking infrastructure delays.
The Social Democrats has described the Government’s housing plan as a proven failure.
The party will call in the Dáil this week for a 100% stamp duty rate on the bulk purchase of homes to effectively ban the practice
Article Source – Cabinet to discuss move to allow local authorities zone more land for housing – RTE
