The Irish Council for Social Housing (ICSH) has described the levying of the property tax on social housing landlords as ‘the final blow to the future delivery of social housing’. This call came in advance of the Bill on the local property tax being debated in the Dail on Friday 14th December.
Executive Director Mr Donal McManus said ‘this tax on social housing completely undermines what the Government has set out as the future vision for housing’. He added, ‘this will not only threaten the financial viability of non-profit housing associations but will also impact on low income families who are already reeling from cuts to child benefit and the back to school allowance’.
The ICSH-national housing federation, which represents nearly 300 non-profit housing associations across Ireland has campaigned for housing associations and their tenants to be exempted from the tax similar to the household charge.
‘Non-profit housing associations provide housing at affordable rents for the benefit of the community. This massive and recurring annual bill will stifle any attempt housing associations make to attract private finance to deliver more social housing which is a Government objective. Without this option for delivery it will be virtually impossible to meet the unprecedented demand for social housing’, Mr McManus said.
The inclusion of the property tax on family homes managed by non-profit housing associations flies in the face of the recommendations of the ‘Thornhill Report’ which recommended exemption for non-profit housing associations which was the case with the household charge.
The Irish Council for Social Housing has called on Government to re-evaluate its decision to levy the property tax on non-profit housing providers and their family tenants on low incomes.
For further information contact Donal McManus 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. Up to 14,000 families will be affected by the imposition of the property tax.
- 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
