The Irish Council for Social Housing (ICSH) has welcomed the Government’s social housing strategy, published today (26.11.14), as “long over-due and badly needed”. The Council also highlighted the “key role” earmarked for non-profit housing associations in the delivery of new social housing.
Donal McManus, Executive Director of the ICSH, said: “The plan takes a strategic approach to the provision of social housing, which is something that has been sadly missing from housing policy in recent years. The last comprehensive housing policy published by Government was in 1995. Since then, Ireland has suffered boom and bust, including our worst ever recession, and we are currently facing a housing crisis, with 90,000 households on waiting lists for social housing.
“The new strategy sets out a roadmap from now until 2020. Housing associations are earmarked to play a key role in this delivery, with a development programme spread over a number of years which we had sought.”
According to the ICSH, the new strategy’s reliance on the private rented sector may present challenges in the years to come.
“It is extremely difficult to accurately predict the level of housing supply that will be available through the private rented sector in the coming years so delivery for social housing from the private sector will be challenging” said Donal McManus. “The Government has committed to providing 75,000 families with homes in this sector through schemes like the Housing Assistance Payment and the Rental Accommodation Scheme.
“Ultimately, we need to ensure the main pipeline of supply for those with a housing need is through local authorities and housing associations. Housing associations can borrow additional funds off balance sheet, which is an added benefit and the sector is willing to play its part in delivery”.
“The Government’s initial spending commitment of €3.8 billion is obviously welcome, but this needs to be increased over time, as the strategy is implemented. Both capital expenditure and private finance is needed to ensure an adequate, sustainable supply of quality social housing.
“The ICSH also welcomes the reform measures announced, including the intention to promote mixed-tenure housing estates. This is progressive and more sustainable than the current model.”
ENDS
Contact: Martina Quinn / Sarah Harte, DHR Communications, Tel: 01-4200580 / 087-6522033 / 087-9858259.
Note to Editors:
About The Irish Council for Social Housing
The Irish Council for Social Housing (ICSH) was formed in 1982 by housing and hostel organisations in Ireland to act as a national representative, promotional, information and advisory federation.
The ICSH seeks to encourage and assist the development of a range of social housing services, which complement the role of local housing authorities and meet the different and changing needs of various groups of the population, such as the elderly, homeless, people with disabilities or families on low incomes.
The ICSH is the representative federation with over 270 members who provide over 27,000 homes across the country.
