How high up the political agenda is housing in the Republic of Ireland?

John O’ConnorHousing Agency

29th August 2014

2

Overview

1) Housing Agency

2) Legacy Issues from Ireland’s Housing Boom Years

3) Irish Government’s action on Housing

Irish Government Structure & Housing

DECLG

Approved Housing Bodies

Housing Finance Agency

Housing Agency

Local

Authorities

NAMAPRTB

Dept. of Social

Protection

4

Housing Agency

The Agency works with and supports:

– Local Authorities

– Housing Associations & Co-operatives

– Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government

– Private Sector

in the delivery of housing and housing services.

5

Housing Issues Post Boom

1) Mortgage Arrears, Negative Equity and Debt

2) Unfinished housing developments

3) Homeless increase

4) Capital funding greatly reduced

5) Collapse in housing supply

6) Legacy construction problems

6

7

Initial Government Actions

1) Bank bail out

2) Establishment of National Asset Management Agency (NAMA)

3) Resolving unfinished housing developments

4) Mortgage Arrears Resolution

5) Insolvency legislation

8

Unfinished Housing Estates

Year Unfinished Housing Developments

Dwellings Complete and Vacant

2010 2,846 23,250

2011 2,066 18,638

2012 1,770 16,881

2013 1,258 6,370

9

Current issues

1) Insufficient Housing Supply (particularly in Dublin)

2) Rising rent levels in Dublin region

3) Reactivating construction industry

4) Homeless

5) Demand for social housing

6) Social housing reform programme

7) Regulation of Housing Associations

10

Housing Issues in 2014

11

Reports and Strategies

• Housing Supply Requirements in Ireland’s Urban Settlements 2014 – 2018

• Construction 2020 – A Strategy for a Renewed Construction Sector

• Homeless Strategy – National Implementation Plan

12

The Housing Position in IrelandHousing Supply Requirements in Ireland’s Urban Settlements 2014 – 2018

13

Housing Demand – by householdPercentage of Total Dwellings Required 2014-2018

%

1 person 25

2 person 31

3 person 18

4 person 15

5+ person 11

Total National 100

14

Construction 2020

Construction 2020 - A Strategy for a Renewed Construction Sector

Some Key actions include:

a) National Housing Frameworkb) Housing Task Force for Dublin c) Social Housing Strategyd) Amendments to Planning System

Homeless Implementation Plan

Homeless Strategy – National Implementation Plan

1) 2,700 homes to be provided over the next three years

2) End long-term homelessness by 2016

3) A range of specific actions

15

Time to Change

17

Priorities1) New approach to housing needed

2) Long-term thinking needed: not quick fix, quick sale, quick profit

3) ‘Build to Maintain’ approach needed (as opposed to Build for Sale)

4) Affordability and availability must be key

5) Whole of Government approach – housing as part of the bigger picture.

6) Social housing sector needs to adapt and improve

Thank YouTel: +353 1 656 4100E-mail: john.oconnor@housing.ie