Challenging Budget for Housing Providers

The allocation for social housing in Budget 2009 is down 1.7% on last year. Responding to this announcement, Donal McManus, Executive Director of the Irish Council for Social Housing (ICSH) recognises “the new economic reality in which we must operate and the necessity for social housing providers to produce more housing with less money”.

“While this is a challenging budget for housing providers, changes in the construction industry provides us with greater opportunity to obtain value for money” he stated. “Social housing providers will be looking for more homes for less money from builders, which will hopefully reverse the excessive price inflation that has been a factor for some years”.

The ICSH welcome the additional funding of €10 million to be provided in 2009 for the Voluntary and Co-operative housing sector under the Capital Loans and Subsidies Scheme which will benefit disadvantaged families. Also a further €3 million is being provided for the provision of homeless accommodation.

In 2007 there were 8,700 units provided for social housing by local authorities and housing associations. The allocation for next year, while decreased, is still substantial in overall terms and it will be important to prioritise spending on the most vulnerable including the homeless and people with disabilities. “Social Housing providers should still aim to meet the target of 9,000 units set down in Towards 2016 as waiting lists for social housing will rise in the coming year” said Mr McManus.

Ends

For further information contact Donal McManus or Karen Murphy on 01 6618334.

Note to Editors:

• The Irish Council for Social Housing is the National Federation of social housing organisations with over 300 housing associations affiliated nationwide.
• The Irish Council for Social Housing is a member of the Community and Voluntary Pillar of Social Partnership.
• Under the NDP and Towards 2016 the target for social housing for the voluntary housing sector is 2,000 units.