‘North and South social housing bodies make joint call on Governments to continue investment in social housing in the recession’
The respective trade bodies for housing associations in Northern Ireland and the Republic met this week in Dublin and today called on their respective Governments on both sides of Border to ‘not to overlook the housing needs of the most vulnerable in the current recession’
The Irish Council for Social Housing (ICSH) representing housing associations in the Republic and the Northern Ireland federation of Housing Associations (NIFHA) collectively represent over 350 housing associations. North and South, non-profit housing associations manage up to 60,000 homes for families, older people, the homeless and people with special needs in every part of the Island.
In an agreed declaration between the ICSH and NIFHA, it was noted that-:
- There were almost 100,000 households assessed in housing need of social housing in total, North and South.
- There were almost 13,500 households counted as homeless households on the Island.
- Investment in the provision of social housing had been shown by research from the University of Ulster that provision of social housing had the greater multiplier affect and creates more jobs compared to other infrastructure.
- Both Governments should now examine the role NAMA could play in delivering new social housing and in the supply of land for social housing in the long-term.
- An all-island approach should be developed for retrofitting social housing that requires upgrading to reduce fuel poverty and carbon emissions and also both housing bodies committed to increasing co-operation in the whole area of improving energy efficiency.
Speaking after the meeting of the two social housing federations, Gene Clayton, President of the Irish Council for Social Housing (ICSH) said ‘It is not the time to undermine social infrastructure such as social housing which happened in the past and then took a generation to rebuild. Housing associations are in business for the long-term and short term fixes could have detrimental long term affect on tenant’s quality of life’.
In addition Mr Ray Cashell, Chair of the Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations (NIFHA) indicated that ‘social housing provision, North and South will represent a greater proportion of any new housing activity in the construction sector in the coming year and will sustain key employment. Therefore, social housing provision could have a stabilising affect on the economy and while Minister Ritchie has obtained funding for social housing this year the economic downturn means that social housing budgets could be under threat’ Housing associations, North and south, will provide around 3,000 new homes in 2009 contributing up to €300m (£270m) to the construction sector.
The meeting of the respective social housing federations came in the week when Taoiseach, Brian Cowen addressed the North-South Consultative Conference. The North-South consultative conference organised by the Department of an Taoiseach was held in Farmleigh House on Thursday.
The Taoiseach indicated at the North-South meeting, which included public, private and voluntary sector representatives that ‘contributing to the developments of communities at social, cultural and economic levels is more important’. A commitment to a North-South consultative forum was included as part of the Good-Friday and St Andrews Agreement.
Ends
For further information contact Donal McManus, Executive Director, Irish Council for Social Housing (ICSH) on 01 6618334.
Media Notes.
- The Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations (NIFHA) is the trade body that represents housing associations in Northern Ireland.
- Housing Associations in Northern Ireland provide social rental housing for households assessed as in need of social housing as well as some ownership housing through co-ownership.
- The Irish Council for Social Housing (ICSH) is the trade body for non-profit housing associations in the Republic of Ireland.
- Housing associations in the Republic provide social rental housing for those on local authority waiting lists.
- Retofitting includes upgrading of existing social housing to reduce energy use and costs and subsequent fuel poverty.
