– ICSH publishes pre-election briefing in advance of polling day this Friday –
The Irish Council for Social Housing (ICSH) has called for the new government to take immediate action to stem the flow of families into homelessness. This includes the provision of at least 2,000 additional homes through NAMA for social housing by 2020.
The ICSH call comes following the release of statistics showing that, in January, there were 769 families in emergency homeless accommodation.
Commenting today, ICSH President Justin O’Brien said: “In December 2015, provision was made for 20,000 homes by NAMA with just 2,000 – or 10 per cent – earmarked for social housing. In the final days before polling, the call to increase this commitment is being made as part of the ICSH pre-election briefing on housing, which seeks pledges in four key areas for the next Programme for Government. We issued this briefing to all political parties in recent weeks, and we are publishing it today to emphasise the importance of this issue in the last couple of days before polling day.” He added: “Any new Government formed must pledge to have social housing commitments central to an agreed programme for Government”
The four key areas outlined in the ICSH pre-election briefing are:
- Actions to increase land and supply through a delivery agency and through identification and transfer of land banks from state sources.
- Enhancing capacity and delivery through a reinstatement of Part V to 20 per cent requirement of new developments.
- Developing choice in housing options and support by resourcing assisted independent living options for older persons and other vulnerable tenants.
- Promotion of partnerships and joint ventures between local authorities and housing associations including stock transfer and management.
Mr. O’Brien outlined a number of simple solutions that the ICSH believes can effectively increase housing delivery and address the alarming increase in the flow of families into homelessness.
“To date, 90 per cent of NAMA properties for social housing have been delivered by housing associations,” he said. “Over 1,800 households have been housed and taken off the waiting list and the ICSH are seeking to increase the potential of NAMA through the transfer of land to build more homes for those most in need.
“Analysis undertaken by the ICSH on the development pipeline of 14 member organisations confirms projected delivery of over 3,500 homes by 2017. This demonstrates the development potential of the sector.
“Stemming the shocking increase of families and individuals into homelessness and meeting the needs of households who have been on the housing waiting list for many years must be the first order of business for the new Government,” he added.
Based on experience and evidence, the ICSH is proposing a combination of short and medium term interventions required to make an impact.
“NAMA has three key components for the delivery of housing: land, properties and funding; and housing associations have access to private finance, expertise in housing development and capacity,” said Mr. O’Brien. “Stopping the flow of families into homelessness by increasing housing supply is a priority for the sector and requires an aggressive approach from the incoming government.”
ENDS
About the ICSH
- 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.
- Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) – also known as housing associations – are non-profit organisations that provide and manage good-quality housing at affordable rents for households in housing need.
- Further information is available at www.icsh.ie, or by following the ICSH on Twitter, @icsh_ie.
