The Government published the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024 (the Bill) on 27 September 2024. It introduces amendments to the Housing (Regulation of Approved Housing Bodies) Act 2019 and the Affordable Housing Act 2021. The primary objectives of the Bill are to ensure the permanent registration of Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs), redefine “alleviation of housing need”, and establish new allocation plans for cost rental homes.

Below is a summary of the key provisions:

Amendments to the Housing (Regulation of Approved Housing Bodies) Act 2019

  1. Permanent registration of AHBs
    • The Bill removes the requirement for “deemed” AHBs to apply for registration, ensuring their permanent registration unless an action is taken to cancel their registration by the Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority (AHBRA) or through an application by the AHB itself.
    • This amendment is stated to have the aim of preventing the cliff-edge cancellation of the largest 20 AHBs on 1 January 2025.
  2. Redefinition of “alleviation of housing need”
    • The Bill removes references linking specific AHB constitutional objects to AHBRA’s powers.
    • The Bill amends the definition of “alleviation of housing need” to ensure all properties ever funded by the State under Section 6 of the Housing Act 1992 and properties designated as Cost Rental under the Affordable Housing Act 2021 fall under AHBRA’s powers.

Amendments to the Affordable Housing Act 2021

  1. Household composition and income eligibility
    • The Minister is empowered to prescribe the composition of a “household” in the context of cost rental eligibility requirements, including considerations of tenant income in shared households.
  2. Allocation plans for cost rental homes
    • The Bill allows for the creation of allocation plans for cost rental homes, which can include alternatives to the standard allocation process and additional selection criteria for tenants, subject to the Minister’s approval.
    • It also provides for the allocation of cost rental tenancies to tenants in-situ and the transition of homes already acquired into the cost rental sector at the commencement of the legislation. 

The Bill is available here and is scheduled for all stages in the Dáil this week (8 and 9 October).

We will continue to track this Bill as it moves through the legislative process. In the meantime, if you have any queries please reach out to your usual ALG Real Estate contact.