Missed targets: Fewer social houses built in 2024 than in 2023

The figures for 2024 also fall short of the number of new-build social homes delivered in 2023, where local authorities delivered 8,110 new builds.

There were fewer social houses built in 2024 than in 2023, new figures show, as the Government confirmed it missed its most recent targets.

Figures published on Wednesday show there were 7,871 social homes built in 2024.

This is 1,429 below the target of 9,300 new builds the Government had outlined in its Housing for All plan.

The figures for 2024 also fall short of the number of new build social homes delivered in 2023, where local authorities delivered 8,110 new builds.

In total — across new builds, acquisitions and leasing — there were 10,595 social houses delivered in 2024. This is behind the 12,930 target set by the Government.

In a statement, housing minister James Browne acknowledged the shortfall, but said the downturn had not been “as pronounced as may have been feared”.

“It is clear, however, that to ensure the sustainability and scalability of the pipeline, we need to do our best to insulate the supply of social housing from any volatility in private supply. The best way to do this is to have local authorities delivering new-build homes on local authority land,” Mr Browne said.

The housing minister said he would be meeting with all local authority chief executives to “drive home a renewed urgency in delivering social housing”.