Threshold calls for doubling of social and cost-rental housing

 National housing charity Threshold has called on the government to double Ireland’s current social and cost-rental housing stock if it wants to bring the housing crisis to an end.

The theme and title of their conference ‘Changing Our Housing System’ – held on Wednesday at the Richmond Education and Event Centre in Dublin – was launched by Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien.

Other attendees and speakers included Dr. Richard Waldron, Senior Lecturer at the School of Natural and Built Environment, Queen’s University Belfast; political representatives from Fianna Fáil, Green Party, Sinn Féin, People Before Profit, Social Democrats, and the Labour Party; and Professor Paddy Gray OBE, established academic and Chair of Tuath Housing.

Launching the conference, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien said “this Government shares the ambition of Threshold and indeed our other AHB (Approved Housing Body) partners in significantly scaling up the delivery of social and affordable housing across Ireland. Through Housing for All we are working hard to deliver more social homes, while affordable cost-rental – which is ramping up – offers stability and affordability to those who need it most. This year we will deliver a record number of new homes and our focus is very much on increasing this much-needed momentum.”

Ann-Marie O’Reilly, Threshold’s National Advocacy Manager, said that, given Ireland’s housing system is not meeting everyone’s needs, other models need to be considered. In particular, she highlighted the unitary housing system – currently a feature in several other European countries.

“Insecurity of tenure and unaffordable rents continue to be among the top issues Threshold deals with, from clients. While some headway is being made, a longer-term blueprint – with the commitment of successive governments – for a new housing system is needed to tackle these challenges and provide long-lasting solutions.

“Earlier this year, the Housing Commission recommended that the Government ‘increase the proportion of social and cost-rental housing to 20% of the national stock.’ By reaching this 20% target, competition would be created for the private rental sector.

“Currently, social and cost-rental housing accounts for approximately 9% of the total housing stock, or around 182,000 residential units. To reach the 20% target, this would need to more than double to over 360,000 units. This would result in a different housing system, known as a Unitary Housing System, or an integrated market. This type of housing system has the potential to improve access, affordability and security across all tenures. Many of us have heard of the Vienna Model, which is a unitary system. But it’s not just Vienna. Countries such as Sweden, Germany, Denmark, Finland and the Netherlands operate unitary housing systems.”

Threshold’s helpline is open Monday to Friday, 9am- 9pm at 1800 454 454, with webchat at www.threshold.ie/advice/help for any renter in need of advice or support.