THE Housing Alliance, a collaboration of six of Ireland’s largest Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) is calling on newly elected councillors on the Northside to make the increased delivery of social and affordable housing a priority.
AHBs are not-for-profit organisations that have a social purpose to provide for people’s housing needs by working in close co-operation with the Government, local authorities and relevant agencies. Rebuilding Ireland, the Government’s plan to increase housing supply, recognises that AHBs will deliver one-third of the 50,000 additional social homes needed by 2021.
Declan Dunne, chair of the Housing Alliance, said the current shortage of social and affordable housing in Ireland is one of the most acute problems facing our society.
“The social housing needs of many are currently being provided, with significant State support, by private landlords,” said Mr Dunne.
“This short-term solution does not represent long-term value and fails to guarantee housing stability and security for tenants beyond the discretion of landlords.
“Local government plays a key role in housing delivery, and the members of the Housing Alliance collaborate and partner with local authorities throughout Ireland to help the State meet its social and affordable housing commitments.
“We want to continue and strengthen this partnership, working together with local authorities and their newly elected members to deliver more homes, at scale, for individuals and families who urgently need them.”
The Housing Alliance launched its new campaign, ‘More Social and Affordable Homes’, last month to encourage a concerted effort from both national and local Government to address the funding and regulatory obstacles that are frustrating the delivery of more social and affordable homes.
Separately, Fingal County Council interim chief executive AnnMarie Farrelly, has extended her congratulations to those elected to the council.
“I offer my congratulations to all our new and returning councillors and particularly to our mayor and deputy mayor who had to balance their obligations of office with campaigning over the last few months,” said Ms Farrelly.
“Some of the outgoing councillors who stood for re-election will not be returning to the council and I would like to thank them for the work they did on behalf of their local communities over the past five years.
“We will have 14 new councillors on the next council and I and my colleagues look forward to working with them on continuing to implement our Capital and Operations Plans.
One of the first functions of the new council will be its Corporate Plan for the next five years.
“We also have many important infrastructure projects to be delivered which are now at the planning stage,” added Ms Farrelly.
“I expect that improved local facilities for our residents, housing and economic development will be key priorities for the new council.”
The first meeting of the new council took place yesterday (June 7).