One of Ireland's largest approved housing bodies has confirmed it is on track to triple the number of social and cost-rental homes that are ready for construction to more than 4,100 in the coming months.
Respond's programme currently has close to 1,400 homes being built across the country.
With Government support, Respond said that 700 social and affordable homes could be completed this year and 900 by next year, primarily in big cities such as Dublin and Cork.
At the launch of its annual report, Respond shared the details of agreeing contacts with developers to deliver significantly more mixed tenure housing developments and help alleviate the urgent need to house the most vulnerable.
it also comes as the Government faces increasing pressure to increase the supply of affordable housing.
Speaking at the event, Minister for Housing Darragh O'Brien said he is "acutely aware" that more needs to be done, but said he is optimistic the challenges will be met.
He said everything is trending in the right direction and last year was the first time in 15 years that affordable homes were delivered at a significant level.
The minister said housing associations like Respond, show ambition and play a really important role in delivering around 50% of the social housing in major cities
He said that they have also been to the forefront of delivering cost-rental home.
Respond chairperson Noel Kelly said the needs of their 16,000 tenants must be looked at in a wide ranging way to build trust and provide assistance to those who need it most.
Spokesperson Niamh Randall acknowledged the importance of building inclusive long-term sustainable communities.
Earlier, Minister O'Brien said there are "about 19,000 social homes at various stages of the pipeline".
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, he said: "We've a target this year of over 9,000 new-build social homes. And every new home that’s delivered makes a difference. Like last year we did over 10,300 new social homes and that was the highest amount since 1975."
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The minister also said he "would expect" tax changes for landlords in the upcoming Budget.
"We've already committed as Government in relation to landlords and retaining good landlords within the market, that the Government would make changes that are significant and effective," he said.
Mr O'Brien added that he expected the renters tax credit to increase and be extended into next year.
"That actually helps in real terms of reducing the actual cost of rent and the cost for renters that they have."
He said the Government is "acutely aware" of issues facing mortgage holders "and that will form part of the discussions that we are having in relation to the budgetary package".
"There are many mortgage holders out there who are paying significantly more than they would have been this time last year," he said, adding that the Government "haven't been found wanting" in terms of measures to reduce the cost of living.
Social housing supply a huge issue
Social Democrats TD and Spokesperson for Housing Cian O' Callaghan has said the supply of social housing remains a huge issue as he accused the Government of not meeting its target.
He said the Minister for Housing should not just be relying on what not-for-profit bodies like Respond are doing to address the problem, stating more needs to be more by his Department directly.
The Government has left money allocated to address the issue "unspent" when there are record levels of homelessness, Mr O'Callaghan said, with over 12,600 people now living in emergency accommodation.
Mr O'Callaghan also said it is "serious and disappointing" that the government has not delivered its targets on providing affordable rental accommodation.
"Rents have become their highest ever levels in Ireland. Dublin for example is one of the most expensive places to rent in the entire European Union. So there is a huge amount that needs to be done to support renters and get rents to affordable levels."
He said the number of adults living in their childhood bedrooms into their 20s and 30s has never been so high in Ireland because of a lack of delivery on housing.
