€100m funding boost for social housing

The Irish Council for Social Housing (ICSH) has welcomed the announcement of €100m for social housing by Minister for Housing Jan O’Sullivan T.D.

 

ICSH Executive Director Donal McManus said ‘Our members across the country have housing projects awaiting funding which will meet the needs of the most vulnerable in our society’. He added, ‘The multiplier effect this will create, in terms of employment, sustainable urban development and social cohesion, cannot be underestimated and strengthens the case to include a housing dimension in the proposed Government stimulus package’.

 

Mr McManus commented, ‘The allocation of €35m for voluntary housing associations is welcome however with large cuts to the social housing budget, it is essential that funding is prioritised to ensure that the most acute housing needs are being met in line with Government strategies such as the National Housing Strategy for People with Disabilities and the Homeless Strategy’.

 

He concluded, ‘Housing Associations are embracing a number of initiatives to ensure continued delivery of housing in the absence of capital funding. This can only work if all the stakeholders are around the table. Private financial institutions must now step up’.

 

 

• The Irish Council for Social  Housing is the National Federation of social housing organisations with up  to 300 housing associations affiliated nationwide.

• Housing associations now   provide over 27,000 homes for families, elderly, homeless people and      people with disabilities.

• In 2010, the Capital Loan  and Subsidy Scheme (CLSS) which provided housing for families was      terminated. Nearly 10,000 homes were provided under this funding scheme.

• The Capital Assistance      Scheme (CAS) which provides homes for the most marginalized and      vulnerable. The budget for this scheme has been cut by 56% from €113m in      2010 to just €50m in 2012

• The capital programme for      housing for 2012 is €390 which is an overall cut of 72% since 2008. This      is a severe reduction in the funding available for purchase of units, new      build where needed or rescue schemes for distressed mortgage holders.

• Further cuts are planned by    2016 to reduce the capital budget for social housing down to €92m which has been cut by 93% since 2008 which will dramatically impact on any      serious provision of social housing in Ireland.