New housing hopes for Northsiders

THERE was some pre-Christmas cheer for thousands of Northside families last week as the Government announced details of its plan to tackle the housing crisis.

The Social Housing Strategy received a broad welcome from across a variety of housing action groups and local TDs, although was dismissed by some opposition politicians as a

“PR stunt

?.

The Government plans to supply up to 110,000 homes over the next six years, including 35,000 social housing units, at a cost of

?¬3.8bn. Minister for the Environment Alan Kelly announced that the State will also support up to 75,000 households through what he called

“an enhanced private rental sector

?.

Donal McManus, executive director of the Irish Council for Social Housing (ICSH), said the plan took a strategic approach to the provision of social housing, which he noted had been

“sadly missing

? in recent years.

“The last comprehensive housing policy published by Government was in 1995,

? he stated.

“Since then, Ireland has suffered boom and bust, including our worst ever recession, and we are currently facing a housing crisis, with 90,000 households on waiting lists for social housing.

“The new strategy sets out a roadmap from now until 2020. Housing associations are earmarked to play a key role in this delivery, with a development programme spread over a number of years, which we had sought.

?

The Peter McVerry Trust also broadly welcomed the publication of the Social Housing Strategy.

Pat Doyle, CEO, said:

“We believe that the strategy represents further progress towards a properly functioning housing system in Ireland and places the State back at the heart of social housing provision, something we have been calling for over the last number of years.

?

Threshold, the national housing charity, also welcomed the social housing strategy but said immediate measures must be taken to help families facing homelessness.
Bob Jordan, its chief executive, said:

“We welcome the Government’s commitment to deliver 35,000 additional social housing units by 2020, as well as 75,000 more secure homes in the private rented sector.

“The promised investment of

?¬3.8 billion in housing is also, obviously, to be welcomed. Funding for social housing was decimated during the recession, with the result that there are now 90,000 families on waiting lists for social housing.

“It will take a long-term and strategic approach to undo the damage done in recent years.

?
Mr Jordan added that his biggest concern about the new social housing strategy was the likely timeline for its implementation.

Dublin North TD Alan Farrell (FG) said the Government’s social housing investment should prioritise the areas which need it most, specifically those with the longest lists, such as Fingal and Dublin City.

“I believe that it is of the utmost importance that the areas with the longest local authority housing lists are prioritised as funding is allocated,

? he said.

“Over 31,000 households are on the waiting lists in the four local authority areas in Dublin and it is my understanding that the housing lists in Fingal and Dublin City are under the most strain.

?

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, James Reilly, who also represents Dublin North, declared that last week’s announcement would see Fingal’s housing list eliminated within six years.

“Our economy is now recovering and it’s time that all our citizens share in that recovery,

? Minister Reilly said.

“For too long families in Fingal have been cramped into unsuitable accommodation while they wait endlessly on a housing list. This Government is bringing that to an end.

?

Minister Kelly’s announcement was also welcomed by Dublin Bay North TD Sean Kenny (Lab).

“The State will engage directly in building social housing by getting local authorities and approved housing bodies to take a key role in the construction of good quality, safe and secure housing that is suited to the needs of the people in each household and at a price that is affordable and in a sustainable community,

? Deputy Kenny said.