Housing Federation urges spending on social housing that provides ‘economic and social return on investment’

“With social housing waiting lists increasing to over 56,000 households, now is not the time to stop spending on social housing” said ICSH Executive Director Donal McManus.

Voluntary housing associations can play their part in the national economic recovery while protecting the vulnerable and this requires a targeted 5 point plan to include:

1. Continued investment through the capital funding schemes for social housing utilising surplus capacity and less overhead costs in voluntary housing sector.
2. Private finance accessed from private institutions not deemed to be exchequer spending for the purpose of Government borrowing.
3. Government support for housing associations to purchase satisfactory and ‘fit for purpose’ housing units in the private sector for up to 40% reductions on initial purchase price.
4. Source and acquire ‘distressed building sites’ currently on the market to build up a viable land bank for social housing to plan for when the upturn in the housing market returns.
5. Negotiate longer mortgage terms with the state Housing Finance Agency to spread the cost of repayment of social housing loans

The Irish Council for Social Housing (ICSH) is gravely concerned that the most vulnerable people in our society who lost out in the boom years will be trod on in the downturn. However by investing in key areas such as the Capital Assistance Scheme, which provides housing for the elderly, disabled and homeless, social and economic gains will be made and this opportunity will not be lost.

Ends

For further information contact Donal McManus on 01 6618334.

Note to Editors

• The Irish Council for Social Housing is the National Federation of social housing organisations with over 300 housing associations affiliated nationwide.
• The Irish Council for Social Housing is a member of the Community and Voluntary Pillar of Social Partnership.
• Under the NDP and Towards 2016 the target for social housing for the voluntary housing sector for 2009 is 2,000 units.
• There are over 3,000 management board members on voluntary housing associations who act in a voluntary capacity in governing voluntary housing organisations and collectively these management board members provide up to 70,000 unpaid hours of support to these organisations.
• Voluntary housing associations currently manage over 20,000 homes in every local authority area in the country serving the needs of 500 local communities.
• In addition voluntary housing associations house approximately 2500 new households each in need of housing on local authority waiting lists which include families, older people, people with disabilities and the homeless.