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Minister Browne welcomes strong start to 2026 with 76% increase in delivery of affordable housing supports
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- Over 2,000 affordable housing supports delivered in Q1 2026
- Increase of over 76% compared to the same period last year
- Over 24,000 affordable housing supports delivered since 2021
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD, today announced that more than 2,000 affordable home supports were delivered during the first quarter of 2026, representing an increase of over 76% compared to the same period in 2025.
The strong performance across all affordable housing programmes continues the momentum achieved in 2025 and brings the total number of affordable supports delivered since 2021 to more than 24,000.
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD:
"We are seeing strong performance across the delivery of all affordable housing supports for the first quarter of the year. It builds on what was already record delivery last year and provides a solid foundation for continued progress throughout 2026.
"Affordable home supports are critical to people and are enabling individuals and families across the country to become homeowners, access secure long-term rental accommodation at below-market rents and bring vacant properties back into residential use."
Starter Homes for Purchase Scheme
The Starter Homes for Purchase Scheme continued to perform strongly during the first quarter of 2026, with 287 homes delivered, representing an increase of more than 122% compared with Q1 2025.
Since the scheme was introduced in 2022, more than 2,700 Starter Homes for Purchase have now been delivered through local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies, and the Land Development Agency, helping increasing numbers of first-time buyers and fresh starters to access affordable home ownership.
Cost Rental
Cost Rental delivery also recorded substantial growth during the first quarter of the year, with 472 new Cost Rental homes delivered — an increase of 317% compared to Q1 2025.
Since the launch of the tenure, more than 6,600 Cost Rental homes have been delivered nationally by Approved Housing Bodies, local authorities, the Land Development Agency, and through the Cost Rental Tenant-in-Situ Scheme, providing secure, long-term rental accommodation at below-market rents.
First Home Scheme
The First Home Scheme continued to play an important role in supporting eligible purchasers to bridge the gap between their mortgage, deposit and the cost of a newly built home. The First Home scheme saw a 63% increase on delivery in Q1 2026 (442 supports drawn down) compared to the same period from Q1 2025 (271 supports drawn down).
Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant
The Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant continued its strong performance, with 816 grants paid during Q1 2026, representing a 29.3% increase compared with the same period in 2025.
The continued growth in grant payments demonstrates the success of the scheme in returning vacant and derelict properties to productive residential use, while at the same time supporting the regeneration of towns, villages, and rural communities across Ireland.
The strong first-quarter performance across all affordable housing supports builds on the record delivery achieved in 2025 and provides a solid foundation for continued progress throughout 2026.
You can learn more about the latest affordable home support delivery statistics on the Department’s website at Overall Social and Affordable Housing Provision - gov.ie
ENDS