Latest social and affordable housing statistics show 48% increase in new build social homes in first nine months of 2025
- Published on: 22 December 2025
- Last updated on: 22 December 2025
Almost 26,000 new social homes in design or construction phase
Affordable housing delivery reaches 93% of annual target in first nine months
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD, has today published the Q3 social and affordable housing delivery figures which show that strong growth and robust pipelines across both delivery streams continue.
While these figures are encouraging, the full picture will emerge at year-end, as delivery by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) typically accelerates in the final quarter of the year where the vast bulk of delivery takes place.
Social housing delivery
In Q3 2025, 1,605 new social homes were delivered, comprising 1,330 new-builds, 120 acquisitions, and 155 through leasing programmes. The number of new-build homes is 40.6% higher than the same quarter in 2024, when 946 were delivered.
Including Housing Assistance Payment, (1,712) and the Rental Accommodation Scheme (440), a total of 3,757 housing supports were provided in Q3 2025.
Across the first nine months of 2025, 3,143 new-build social homes were delivered, over 48% higher than the same period in 2024 (2,120) and above outputs for Q1–Q3 in both 2023 (2,638) and 2022 (2,704).
Social housing pipeline
The department also today published the Q3 2025 Construction Status Report, detailing new-build social housing activity by local authority. It shows a robust supply line with 25,848 social homes at various stages of design and construction at the end of September 2025.
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne, TD said:
“Today’s figures are very encouraging, particularly in relation to social housing new builds. The data reflects the strong momentum with growth accelerating and robust pipelines in place – ensuring more families can access secure, high-quality homes. This progress reflects the commitment of local authorities, AHBs and Government to meeting the housing needs of our communities.
“At the same time, I recognise that more must be done. That is why, under our new Housing Action Plan, ‘Delivering Homes, Building Communities’, we are significantly scaling up delivery of new social homes built each year to on average 12,000 annually to 2030. We are working closely with local authorities to ensure they meet their targets and we will ensure that a laser-like focus will be kept on delivering the new social housing homes we need. This is key to ultimately lowering the number of people living in temporary accommodation and keeping people out homelessness.
“Our ambitious Housing Action Plan is backed by funding of nearly €20 billion, the largest housing investment in the State’s history. This unprecedented funding will help support the delivery of 72,000 new social homes, ensuring thousands of families have access to secure, high-quality housing.”
Affordable housing
Today’s data also shows that affordable housing schemes are now operating at scale, with delivery expanding year on year underpinned by record State investment.
In Q3 2025, 2,061 affordable housing options were provided through local authorities, AHBs, the First Home Scheme, the Land Development Agency and the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant. This is an 11% increase on the same period last year.
Overall, affordable housing delivery has already reached 5,978 or 93% of this year’s target of 6,400 supports, reflecting the strong progress being made.
Starter Home Purchase Scheme
The Starter Home Purchase Scheme enables eligible buyers, primarily first-time buyers to purchase newly built homes at a reduced price.
By the end of September 2025, more than 2,100 homes had been delivered under the scheme, including 563 in the first nine months of this year. This reflects its continued expansion and growing role in supporting affordable homeownership.
The Department’s Affordable Housing Fund is also driving a strong pipeline, with almost 5,400 homes approved for funding to help eligible buyers achieve home ownership across 23 local authorities.
Cost rental
Cost-rental housing provides long‑term, affordable rental options, with rents discounted by at least 25%.
Since the introduction of this tenure, more than 4,800 cost-rental homes have been delivered, including 969 in the first nine months of 2025. Delivery has been driven by AHBs, local authorities, the Land Development Agency and through the Cost Rental Tenant‑in‑Situ scheme.
Since the launch of the Cost Rental Equity Loan in 2021, AHBs have delivered over 2,700 homes across 16 local authorities. A further 5,231 homes have been approved for delivery by the end of 2029, underscoring the growing scale and impact of this model.
First Home Scheme
The First Home Scheme is a shared equity initiative designed to help eligible buyers bridge the gap between their deposit, mortgage, and the cost of a new home.
Since its launch in July 2022, the scheme has become a key support for first-time buyers, with nearly 8,400 approvals issued to date. In Q3 2025 alone, 794 approvals were granted.
The scheme continues to enable buyers to purchase new homes and apartments in the private market, with demand and uptake expected to remain strong.
Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant
The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant provides financial support to bring vacant or derelict properties back into residential use.
Since its launch in July 2022, the scheme has attracted 14,910 applications, with 11,059 approvals and 3,672 grants already paid by the end of Q3 2025. Grant drawdowns increased by approximately 104% compared to Q3 2024, and this upward trend is expected to continue as more refurbishment projects are completed.
Minister Browne said:
“Affordable housing delivery has already reached the vast majority of this year’s target. This reflects the effective steps this Government is taking to expand homeownership and provide affordable rental options nationwide.
“To sustain this trajectory, our new Starter Homes Programme, a key pillar of the Delivering Homes, Building Communities housing plan will scale up existing successes. By providing targeted funding to local authorities and the Land Development Agency, we are ensuring that the right supports are delivered in the right locations, making both affordable purchase and rental a reality for more people.”
The full social and affordable housing data can be accessed here.
Social Housing Construction Projects Status Report Q3 2025
ENDS