Social housing federation welcomes additional finance for special needs social housing in Budget 2010
The Irish Council for Social Housing (ICSH), the national social housing federation, has welcomed the announcement by Housing Minister Michael Finneran of additional resources to target the housing needs of some of the most vulnerable such as older people, the homeless and people with disabilities. Minister Finneran announced a 30% increase in the allocation for the Capital Assistance Scheme which is used by housing associations to provide much needed social housing, including sheltered and supported housing, for older people, the homeless and people with disabilities. This was part of refocusing resources in the social housing budget. The Capital Assistance Scheme is a scheme used by housing associations to house vulnerable groups in need of specific forms of social housing.
‘This additional allocation will help to address the large backlog of new special needs projects that were stuck in the system over the last year, it is very timely and welcome to have these additional resources’’ indicated Donal McManus, Executive Director of the Irish Council for Social Housing (ICSH)
‘It will also mean in the current climate the Government will achieve much greater value for money for any new projects starting next year, with reduced tender and acquisition prices, so much more can be provided now than previously thought. This will mean vulnerable groups would have the opportunity to be housed more quickly” Mr. McManus added.
The ICSH also welcomed the commitment to provide significant resources of €56m in the coming year for homelessness, as well as funding for low income family housing to be provided by housing associations, commitments for which have already been entered into.
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For further information contact the ICSH 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.
- Housing associations now provide over 20,000 homes for families, elderly, homeless people and people with disabilities.
- Housing associations build one in four of all new social rented housing.
- The Irish Council for Social Housing is a member of the Community and Voluntary Pillar of Social Partnership.
