Press Release
4th Sept 2026
The Irish Council for Social Housing welcomes new government approach but calls for necessary financial structures to meet delivery at ground level
A newly released Pre-Budget Submission 2027 for housing welcomes the development of evidence-led local authority Housing Delivery Action Plans while highlighting the need for collaboration, access to land and flexible funding models.
The Irish Council for Social Housing (ICSH) says the new local Housing Delivery Action Plan (HDAP) approach is an important opportunity for targeted and evidence-led housing delivery at local level. However, the organisation shines a spotlight on how current housing needs require a partnership approach from all providers playing to their strengths to provide housing for a diverse range of households.
The ICSH, the national federation for non-profit housing associations (also known as AHBs) is calling for Budget 2027 to drive the new 10-year roadmap for AHB social and cost rental housing delivery through reforms to capital funding, access to land, AHB construction-led delivery and the long-term financial sustainability of existing housing stock.
A recent study* says the majority of under-35s are now considering social housing and long-term renting to secure a home, emphasising the growing demand.
Donal McManus, CEO of Irish Council for Social Housing said: “The new needs-led HDAP process is a key action in the government’s housing plan that should identify the right mix of social and cost rental homes across the country, catering for the needs of individuals, families on low and middle incomes as well as the supported housing required for our growing older population and disabled persons. The demand for housing is changing as we speak and it’s important to shine a light on where the needs are.”
The ICSH is calling for an increased Capital Advanced Leasing Facility (CALF) budget to reflect current pipeline, alongside an equity finance component to both social and cost rental funding to address growing debt constraints within the sector. AHBs also need greater access to land, including the land acquisition fund and a more flexible funding model to support increased AHB-led construction and direct delivery as the housing market has evolved since successful schemes like CALF were first introduced.
ICSH members face growing financial pressure associated with the maintenance of older AHB housing stock whilst simultaneously providing new homes. The organisation believes a long-term cost-recovery model is needed to ensure these homes remain financially sustainable and available for social housing in perpetuity. Multiannual funding is also required for AHB retrofit as well as support for smaller AHBs to access the expertise needed to improve the energy efficiency of existing stock.
The ICSH is also urging the Government to prioritise homelessness prevention, including adequate funding for the forthcoming Homeless Prevention Framework and targeted and increased resources for Tenant in Situ and Cost Rental Tenant in Situ schemes. It says preventing homelessness and sustaining tenancies must remain central to the Government’s housing response while new social housing delivery increases.
Donal McManus added: “Local authorities and AHBs have developed long established and successful partnerships in the delivery of social and affordable housing nationally. Our Budget 2027 ask reflects a new and collaborative vision that underpins the critical role of AHBs in helping to deliver a robust and sustainable national housing plan. AHBs have demonstrated a strong delivery track record over last decade where increased state finances, through successive budgets, have supported increased social and cost rental housing by AHBs in turn resulting in more affordable and secure homes for families and vulnerable households .”
ENDS
For more information please contact:
Marita Kelly, Healy Communications on behalf of the Irish Council for Social Housing
087 948 0999 or marita@healycommunications.ie
Summary notes to editor:
- In its Pre-Budget Submission 2027, the ICSH says the new local Housing Delivery Action Plan (HDAP) approach is an important opportunity for targeted and evidence-led housing delivery at local level.
- The organisation is calling for Budget 2027 to drive the new 10-year roadmap for AHB social and cost rental housing delivery through reforms to capital funding, access to land, AHB construction-led delivery and the long-term financial sustainability of existing housing stock.
- “The new needs-led HDAP process is a key action in the government’s housing plan that will identify the right mix of social and cost rental homes across the country.”
- The ICSH is calling for an increased CALF budget, alongside an equity finance component to address growing debt constraints within the sector.
- Preventing homelessness and sustaining tenancies must remain central to the Government’s housing response.
- ICSH members face growing financial pressure associated with the maintenance of older AHB housing stock – a long-term cost-recovery model is needed
- *A recent study: the majority of under-35s are now considering social housing and long-term renting to secure a home, emphasising the growing demand: https://businessplus.ie/news/under-35s-social-housing-ptsb/
