15th October 2013
The Irish Council for Social Housing (ICSH) has today called for a ‘social dividend’ from the NAMA investment announced in Budget 2014 which is to include construction of 4,500 homes and apartments in Dublin. This would ensure that these properties will be used to house households in most housing need at a time of significant demand for housing and an emerging housing supply crisis in the capital.
Speaking after the budget today, Executive Director, ICSH, Mr Donal McManus said ‘The ICSH has previously called for a stimulus programme for social housing which benefits both those in housing need and the economy’. He added, ‘Non-profit housing associations have a proven track record in managing mixed housing developments and have been working with NAMA to make properties available’
Although the Minister for Housing has stated her commitment to securing housing from the NAMA portfolio, the outcomes to date have been limited under the NAMA lease (NARPS). Therefore, there is potential for a new building programme could work in parallel with the leasing scheme to meet the high demand for housing in Dublin both now and in the future.
The last official assessment of housing need took place in 2011 and identified over 98,000 households. Mr McManus concluded: ‘The ICSH also welcomes the announcement of €30m for reinvestment in and construction of 500 social rented homes as a signal that new construction of social housing is needed’.
Other positive announcements welcomed by the ICSH are:
- €20 for the development of community mental health services envisaged under ‘Vision for Change’;
- Part payment of the lottery fund for adaptation grants for older persons and persons with disability;
- €10m for the Unfinished Housing Estate Resolution Initiative;
- The use of social impact bonds to create long term stable homes for homeless families.
ENDS
For further information contact Donal McManus or Karen Murphy 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.
- Evidence has shown in the UK that every £1m of housing construction supports 19 jobs and considerably more