Short-term measures But the Minister for Housing said that refusing to use the private sector in housing âwould be fighting with one hand tied behind our backsâ. Mr OâBrien stressed the need to âuse short-term measures to boost [housing] supply while other supports such as direct State building of affordable homes comes on streamâ. Home ownership levels had fallen from 82 per cent in 1991 to 67.6 per cent, which is below the EU average, he said, adding that the proposed scheme would bridge the affordability gap in housing and create jobs as the economy recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic. There was some conditional support for the scheme from a number of Independent TDs. Regional Independent Denis Naughten said the principle of the scheme âhas meritâ and should focus on assisting families in moving to regional towns and areas where there is a significant level of vacant housing.