Call for More Support for Sheltered Housing in the West

At the Western Meeting of voluntary housing organisations in Breaffy House Hotel Mayo, Thursday 19th June, 2008, the Irish Council for Social Housing (ICSH), the national federation of voluntary housing associations has called on more resources by the Government to be provided to support the care costs in sheltered housing projects in the Western Counties of Mayo, Galway, Roscommon and Sligo.

Speaking at the Western Meeting, Dr Jerry Cowley, ICSH Representative in the West and ICSH Vice-President told delegates ‘it is essential the Government ensures that community based sheltered housing projects in the West are not overlooked for revenue funding for the care supports required to support older people living in sheltered housing. Dr. Cowley said ‘huge work has been undertaken in local communities by voluntary housing associations in providing housing for older people and he was dismayed that the additional funding sought by voluntary housing sector in the 2008 Budget which amounted to over €1m was allocated solely to two projects in Dublin. He concluded ‘that both the social and cost benefits of sheltered housing compared to profit driven residential care are well known and it was time that the Government and the HSE recognised that there is sheltered housing outside Dublin requiring support.

Also at the Western Regional Meeting in Castlebar attended by representatives from voluntary housing associations from Mayo, Galway, Roscommon and Sligo, Donal McManus, Executive director of the ICSH told delegates that there was a significant level of voluntary housing activity in the West and it is probably one of the best times now to be able to provide keenly priced new social housing with surplus capacity now in the construction industry. He concluded ‘as well as additional social housing offering housing options for families, older people, the homeless and people with disabilities on waiting lists, delivering more social housing would have the additional multiplier affect of keeping the construction sector in the West active as well as helping the wider economy in the region.

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For further information contact Donal McManus on 01 6618334

Media Notes:

• The Irish Council for Social Housing is the National Federation of social housing organisations with over 300 housing associations affiliated nationwide.
• Over 50 voluntary housing associations are active in the Western Counties of Mayo, Galway, Roscommon and Sligo.
• Housing associations now provide over 20,000 homes throughout the country for families, elderly, homeless people and people with disabilities in local communities throughout the west.
• Housing associations build one in four of all new social rented housing.
• The Irish Council for Social Housing as the national umbrella body for voluntary housing associations is a Social Partner and represents the voluntary housing sector in national negotiations with the Government, Unions, Employers, Farmers and other organizations in the Community and Voluntary Sector.