The Housing Alliance, which represents the seven largest Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) in Ireland, has welcomed the publication yesterday (13:11:2025) of the Government’s new housing plan ‘Delivering Homes, Building Communities’. The Housing Alliance also welcomed the publication of the Approved Housing Body Strategic Forum Report, which was also released by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage today.
Housing Alliance members particularly welcome the reaffirmation in the plan of the essential role of Approved Housing Bodies as “key delivery partners” in the future provision of social and affordable housing. This builds on the track record of delivery over recent years with Housing Alliance members. AHBs are now managing close to 50,000 homes and delivering over 6,000 additional homes per annum in recent years.
As outlined in our impact report, released earlier this year, the Housing Alliance has plans in place to deliver a further 26,000 homes by the end of 2028, providing homes for almost 70,000 people. The plan today outlines an expanded role and even greater delivery expectations for AHBs – which we welcome. However, key to this delivery is how AHBs will be supported to deliver at scale.
We note the commitment from Government to support a restructuring of the sector, addressing legacy barriers as well as financial constraints that might impede our delivery. We hope that as part of this, there is a commitment to provide long-term, multi-annual funding and clear financing pathways so that we can ensure these targets are translated into homes for people who desperately need them.
Approved Housing Body Strategic Forum Report
In relation to the Strategic Forum Report, the Housing Alliance notes that key reforms including proposals and measures to bolster the capacity of the AHB sector and develop fit-for-purpose funding mechanisms for construction-led social and affordable homes delivery are proposed.
In particular, we look forward to further engagement on the recommendations for capital funding reforms, including capital flexibility, funding model improvements, and regulatory adjustments. Potentially, these will allow Housing Alliance members to continue delivering homes without exceeding financial limits, while also providing us with greater financial self-sufficiency.
It is important that these key measures are expedited to enable AHBs to continue to contribute to the growing demand for housing.
Our members remain focused on the key tasks of delivering more social and affordable housing, and stand ready to work with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and all the relevant state agencies to advance the priority measures that will enable accelerated delivery.
Contact: Maisie Lynch: 086-8966298 / Abigail Bennet: +353 86 227 7174; Email: media@alicepr.com
Notes to Editors: Brian O’Gorman, CEO of Clúid (Housing Alliance member organisation), is available for media interview.
About the Approved Housing Body Strategic Forum Report
The Approved Housing Body Strategic Forum (AHBSF) report was published today by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, following a multi-stakeholder review of the AHB sector undertaken throughout 2024. It outlines a 10-year vision for the AHB sector and a roadmap of policy development reforms to enable the realisation of this vision. The report is available here.
