Friday 09 September 2016:
The Irish Council for Social Housing (ICSH), the national representative body for housing associations, comments on the key role set out for the sector in Rebuilding Ireland.
Caren Gallagher, Director of Policy said ‘Our 15-member council, representing a diverse membership across the country, has been reflecting on the Government’s Rebuilding Ireland Housing Action Plan and where we fit in. If the actions in the plan are to become a reality, we need a new way of thinking about housing delivery and financing development. The State cannot solve the crisis alone. With a development pipeline of over 5,000 homes in train by 2018, using state funding together with leveraging private investment, housing associations must be seen as a long term strategic and collaborative partner in providing and managing new homes.’
She added, ‘The Action Plan identifies innovation and collaboration as key to successful housing delivery. And from the mixed-tenure plan for Dublin’s O’Devaney Gardens, to the roll-out of choice based letting across local authorities, we’re beginning to see real effort from stakeholders involved in the delivery of housing to work together to deliver results. We’ve been working in partnership with local authorities for more than 30 years, and have provided over 30,000 homes across the country. To keep delivering as effectively and efficiently as possible, we need commitment from the State to provide land to housing associations as quickly as possible’.
Reflecting on the ICSH Pre-Budget Submission, Ms Gallagher concluded, ‘Over 2,400 homes for families, people with disabilities, older people and formerly homeless households were provided by housing associations in 2015. Housing associations can offer significant added value through our ability to access private finance and our long standing housing management expertise.’
Notes for Editors
1. The Irish Council for Social Housing (ICSH) is the national federation for non-profit housing associations, representing approximately 270 members that provide social housing. The sector manages over 30,000 homes for families on a low income, older people, people with disabilities and homeless households.
The ICSH Council members are:
Justin O’Brien (Chairperson) – Circle Voluntary Housing Association, Castle Street, Dublin 2
Pat O’Connor – Roscara Housing Association, Lanesboro Street, Roscommon
Molly Buckley – Rights for the Elderly Voluntary Housing Association, Tullamore, Offaly
Eamon Sexton – Killeshandra Housing Association, Killehsandra, Cavan
Ian McNinch – Carbery Housing Association, Rossnagoose, Skibbereen, Cork
Damien Martin – Clonmel Voluntary Housing Association, Clonmel, Tipperary
Margaret Daly – Foscadh Housing Association, Ballymakenny Road, Drogheda, Louth
Tina Donaghy – Fold Ireland, Ashtown Business Centre, Dublin 7
Pat Doyle – Peter McVerry Trust, Mountjoy Square, Dublin 1
Martina Smith – Clanmil Ireland, Clondalkin, Dublin 22
Liam Tobin – Belmont Park Housing Association, Waterford
Mike Allen – Focus Ireland, High Street, Dublin 8
Neil Bolton – Cluid Housing Association, Amiens Street, Dublin 1
Bronagh D’Arcy – Tuath Housing Association, Merrion Square North, Dublin 2
Kevin Lunny – St John of God Trust Housing Association, Hospitaller House, Stillorgan, Co. Dublin
2. The ICSH Pre Budget Submission 2017 can be accessed here.
3. The Irish Council for Social Housing (ICSH) has produced a convenient summary of 2015 activity, output and projections for the future from Housing Associations, available here: icsh_infographic.pdf
4. The ICSH HAPM (Housing Association Performance Management) tool provides data on size of housing stock, rent levels, service charges, rent collected and arrears, allocations, voids, response repairs and maintenance and landlord-tenant relations for nearly 18,000 homes. The 2015 HAPM results are available to download here 2015-hapm-results.
5. Further information is available at www.icsh.ie, or by following the ICSH on Twitter (@icsh_ie).
