Housing Alliance Pre-Budget Submission 2021

Outlining 5 key asks to help develop a policy environment that will support and sustain an increase in the delivery of social and affordable rental housing.

The Housing Alliance, a collaboration of six of the largest Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) in Ireland (Circle VHA, Clúid Housing, Co-operative Housing Ireland, Oaklee, Respond, and Tuath Housing), today launched their 2021 Pre-Budget Submission which lists five key asks. The Alliance says that addressing these issues, will help, in partnership with others, develop a policy environment that will support and sustain an increase in the delivery of social and affordable rental housing.

The five key asks from the Housing Alliance are:

1. Increase & Sustain Capital Investment in social and affordable rental housing
2. A National Affordable Rental Scheme
3. Reclassification of AHBs
4. New Zero Energy Building Standard
5. Involve AHBs in the utilisation of vacant properties across the State.

Speaking as the document was formally launched the Chair of the Housing Alliance, Declan Dunne, said:

“We have emphasised a simple approach in our submission; naming five key asks which we believe can further develop the policy environment to allow Approved Housing Bodies, Government, local authorities and other stakeholders to work collaboratively and effectively to provide more much needed social and affordable housing.

“AHBs have a proven track record of delivery and the members of the Housing Alliance have both the capacity and the desire to further promote the delivery of social and affordable housing whilst working collaboratively with our partners from across the housing sector, to address barriers and challenges to delivery of such homes.

“The Covid-19 crisis has once again thrown a spotlight on the need for safe, secure and affordable housing for not just the individual but for society and economy too. Approved Housing Bodies are well-positioned to help deliver on the Programme for Government aim of providing more social and affordable housing but we must be supported to do so. We believe that addressing the five key issues highlighted in our submission would help create a successful policy environment wherein the admirable social and affordable housing goals of the Programme for Government, can be delivered upon.”