Local Authorities to Set Social Housing Targets for Disabled People by 2027

Local authorities will be required to set specific targets for social housing delivery for people with disabilities in the next housing action plan, effective from 2027. This initiative, announced by Minister for Equality Norma Foley, aims to create a consistent supply of homes for disabled individuals, including those needing independent living support and those requiring 24/7 specialist care.

The Local Authority Housing Delivery Action Plans 2027-2030, expected in the coming months, will outline these targets. Councils will provide the homes, while the Department, via the HSE, will fund the necessary staff and services. This marks a shift from previous trends where over two-thirds of new housing places for people with complex needs between 2024-2025 were delivered by commercial providers, rather than social or affordable housing schemes.

Minister Foley acknowledged that disabled people have not been a priority in social and affordable housing, leading to challenges in independent living. The State currently houses 8,911 disabled people with complex needs, but demand persists and local provision is often inadequate. The new plan, developed with Minister for Housing James Browne, seeks to reduce reliance on emergency commercial purchases and ensure housing is available «in every corner of Ireland».