New-build social housing up 42% on Q2 and 54% higher than H1 2024.
• Nearly 27,000 social homes in design or construction.
• Affordable housing delivery up 40%
The delivery of social and affordable housing continues to gain momentum, with the latest quarterly statistics revealing strong growth and robust pipelines across both delivery streams. This progress is reflected in the Q2 delivery figures published today by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD.
SOCIAL HOUSING
In Quarter 2 2025, 1,757 new social homes were delivered, including 1,443 new-build
homes, 162 acquisitions and 152 homes delivered through leasing programmes. The number of new-build homes is 42% higher than the corresponding figure in Quarter 2 2024 when 1,016 new-build homes were delivered.Furthermore, the delivery of new build social homes in the first half of the year (1,804) is up almost 54% on the first six months of 2024 (1,174). It is also higher than H1 delivery in 2022 (1,761) and H1 delivery in 2023 (1,393).
When the Housing Assistance Payment (1,740) and Rental Accommodation Scheme (491) are added, 3,988 housing supports were delivered in Q2 2025.
While first-half delivery figures are encouraging, the full picture will become clearer by year-end, as social housing delivery by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) typically accelerates in the second half of the year.
Social housing pipeline
The Department also today published the Q4 2025 Construction Status Report, detailing new-build social housing activity by local authority. It shows a robust supply line with 26,684 social homes were at various stages of design and construction at the end of June 2025.
Welcoming today’s figures, Minister Browne said,
“These figures demonstrate that our efforts to accelerate the delivery of social housing, particularly new-build homes are having an impact.
“With over 50% more new-build social homes delivered in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year and a strong pipeline in place, there is momentum, we are moving the dial.
“I remain firmly committed to sustaining progress. In July, I made a significant move to a Single Stage Approval Process for social housing projects under €200 million. This will accelerate delivery and support the achievement of our ambitious targets, and was widely welcomed by our local authorities.
“While today’s focus is on the numbers, it is ultimately about the people behind them. As Minister, I have the privilege of travelling throughout the country and witnessing first-hand the profound impact that a permanent, secure home has on individuals and families.
“I want homes built at pace and at scale across all types, social affordable, cost rental and private.
"We are now constructing more social housing than at any point since the 1970s, and I am determined to ensure this progress continues."
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Today’s data also shows that affordable housing schemes are now operating at scale and the affordable housing delivery programme continues to expand and develop year on year, supported by unprecedented levels of State investment.
Overall, in Q2 2025, 2,312 affordable housing options have been delivered via local authorities, AHBs, the First Home Scheme, and through the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant with a strong pipeline in place for the remainder of the 2025.
This output represents an increase of over 40% compared to Q2 2024. Cumulatively, first-half yearly delivery now represents 61% of the 2025 target of 6,400 affordable supports.
Local Authority Affordable Purchase
The Local Authority Affordable Purchase Scheme helps eligible buyers, primarily first-time buyers, purchase newly built homes at a reduced price.
To the end of June 2025, over 1,950 Local Authority Affordable Purchase homes have been delivered including 224 in Q2 2025 alone. This reflects the continued scaling up of the scheme and its growing contribution to affordable homeownership.
The Affordable Housing Fund continues to support a growing pipeline of affordable purchase homes, with over 5,150 homes approved for funding to help eligible buyers achieve home ownership.
Cost rental
Cost Rental Housing is a long-term, affordable rental option with rents typically 25% below market rates and in some cases, up to 50% lower.
Since launch of this new tenure, over 4,500 cost rental homes have been made available including 554 in Q2 2025. These have been delivered by AHBs, local authorities and through the Cost Rental Tenant-in-Situ scheme.
In terms of AHB delivery, since the launch of the Cost Rental Equity Loan in 2021 to the end of June 2025, over 2,500 homes have been delivered across fifteen local authorities with approval for a further 5,065 homes for delivery by the end of 2027.
First Home Scheme
The First Home Scheme is a shared equity scheme that helps eligible buyers cover the gap between their deposit, mortgage, and the cost of a new home.
It continues to be a key support for first-time buyers, with nearly 8,400 approvals issued since its launch in July 2022. In Q2 2025 alone, there were 831 approvals, resulting in 368 home purchases. The scheme continues to enable eligible buyers to purchase new homes and apartments in the private market, with strong uptake expected to continue.
Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant
The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant provides financial support to refurbish vacant or derelict properties for residential use.
Since launch in July 2022, the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant has received 13,737 applications, with 9,979 approvals and 2,856 grants paid by the end of Q2 2025. Grant drawdowns rose by approximately 174% year-on-year, and this upward trend is expected to continue as more refurbishment works are completed.
Minister Browne said:
“The significant increase in affordable housing delivery in the first half of the year highlights the effectiveness of the Government’s affordability measures in response to the housing crisis.
“More individuals and families are now in a realistic position to purchase a home or secure long-term, affordable rental accommodation, but I am acutely aware that people still face significant challenges in purchasing a home or accessing affordable homes to rent. I am determined to improve this situation.
“In the recent budget, we committed a record housing allocation of over €9bn to drive the continued rollout of key affordability schemes including Affordable Purchase, Cost Rental, and the First Home Scheme. This investment reflects our ambition to expand access to secure, affordable homes.”
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