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.
In particular, Housing Alliance members work in partnership with local authorities to support the provision of housing and, in many cases, additional supports. The Government recognises that AHBs are central to the meeting of Ireland’s social and affordable housing needs. Under Housing for All, 47,600 new social homes are to be provided between 2022-26; the government target is that AHBs will provide 40% of these – equivalent to more than 21,000 social homes.
They provide affordable rented housing for people who cannot afford to buy or rent their own homes.
AHBs are regulated by law: Section 6 of the Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1992, empowers the Minister for Housing to grant approved status to suitable organisations, so that they can work with statutory authorities to provide housing. AHBs are also regulated, on a voluntary basis, by the Housing Agency, with statutory regulation of the sector expected in the very near future.
There are over 540 AHBs currently operating in Ireland. Further information and a register of all AHBs is available here.
Playing a Key Role in Delivering Social Housing
Local authorities are the largest providers of social housing in Ireland, with a current housing stock of approximately 140,000 dwellings.
AHBs are increasingly important in providing social housing, working in partnership with local authorities: their current stock exceeds 43,000 homes. In other words, AHBs are providing homes for more than 43,000 families who cannot afford to buy or rent in the open market.
