Chartered surveyors call for measures to boost housing supply

Chartered surveyors are calling for a range of measures to help boost housing supply.

The call coincides with the release of a new housing report, which shows that first time buyers accounted for 44% of property transactions in the second quarter of the year.

In Dublin, demand is far outstripping supply although in the west and mid west, supply is far greater than demand.

Policy director with the Society of Chartered Surveyors Conor O'Donovan said the required measures included the introduction of a builders' finance fund to help small builders access development finance, a temporary reduction in the VAT on new homes and a reduction in development contributions".

"The society believes these measures would boost supply, particularly in urban areas where the housing shortage is most pronounced," he said.