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Housing federation welcomes publication of regulation code for non-profit housing bodies

15th July 2013

The Irish Council for Social Housing (ICSH) which represents nearly 300 non-profit housing associations has welcomed the publication of a new code of regulation for the sector today. (The voluntary code of regulation can be downloaded here.)

At the event, Mr Donal McManus stated that ‘the regulation code launched by Minister O’Sullivan today is one of a number of critical elements required to enable non-profit housing associations to play a significant role in the ongoing provision of social housing to those most in housing need’.

Capital funding for social housing has been reduced by nearly 80% since 2008 at a time when there are over 98,000 households in housing need.

Mr Mc Manus added, ‘the dramatic fall in capital funding and need to attract private finance into the social housing sector has meant that non-profit housing associations are being asked to do in a few years what it took housing associations in other EU countries over 20 years to achieve. During the consultation process the ICSH has emphasised to Government that as well as this code of regulation, the sector also requires predictable funding streams, policy co-ordination and robust financial intermediaries to leverage the level of loan finance required to deliver social housing into the future’.

The ICSH is also pleased to see that some key concerns it raised about some aspects have been addressed during the consultation process. Mr McManus concluded ‘this sets a good basis for further developing a statutory regulatory system in partnership with the sector’.
 
For further information contact Donal McManus or Caren Gallagher on 01 6618334.

Notes for Editors/

  • The Irish Council for Social Housing is the National Federation of social housing organisations with up to 300 housing associations affiliated nationwide.
  • Housing associations now provide over 27,000 homes for families, elderly, homeless people and people with disabilities.
  • The ICSH is holding a National Social Housing Conference on 18th and 19th September in Whites Hotel, Wexford
  • In 2010, the Capital Loan and Subsidy Scheme (CLSS) which provided housing for families was been abolished. Nearly 10,000 homes were provided under this funding scheme.
  • The Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) which provides homes for the most marginalized and vulnerable. The budget for this scheme was been cut by 62% from €145m in 2010 to just €55m in 2013
  • The capital programme for social housing for 2013 is €275m which is an overall cut of 80% since 2008 when it was €1.38bn. This is a severe reduction in the funding available for purchase of units, new build where needed or rescue schemes for distressed mortgage holders.