Housing Finance Agency lending up 26% as 2,611 homes built

€700m could fund 2,700 more homes

The Housing Finance Agency (HFA) provided more than €750 million in loans between January and June, a 26% increase compared with the same six-month period last year.

The money has already helped finance 2,611 properties, including 1,954 social homes and 657 Cost Rental units. 

A further wave of construction could follow after the agency approved almost €700 million in additional funding, which is expected to support another 2,702 homes.

HFA lending jumps 44% as housing delivery grows

The latest figures were released alongside the HFA's annual report for 2025, which highlights the scale of its contribution to housing provision.

Last year, the agency issued €2.1 billion in loans, marking a 44% increase on 2024. 

It also approved another €2.1 billion in financing, with support from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, to help deliver 7,660 homes around the country.

According to chief executive Deirdre Collier, HFA funding helped bring 5,837 social and affordable homes to completion in 2025. 

These represented 16% of all homes delivered nationally and provided accommodation for more than 12,000 people.

Collier said: "These results demonstrate what can be achieved through a shared commitment to delivering homes and building communities across Ireland."

She added that the momentum had carried into the current year, highlighting the continued importance of the agency's financing to housing delivery nationwide.

More money for community projects as HFA fund grows

Unlike a bank offering mortgages to individual buyers, the HFA provides loans to local authorities and approved housing bodies, helping them finance social and affordable housing projects.

Housing is not the agency's only area of investment, either. 

Its Social Impact Fund, which supports community initiatives including cafés and creative programmes for children, has been increased from €500,000 to €750,000 for 2026.

RTÉ reported that the decision to expand the fund followed a strong response from applicants.

Collier said: "That strong level of activity has continued into 2026, demonstrating the scale of the contribution HFA financing is making to housing delivery across Ireland."