How high up the political agenda is housing in the Republic of Ireland? John O’Connor Housing Agency 29 th August 2014

Overview 1)Housing Agency 2)Legacy Issues from Ireland’s Housing Boom Years 3)Irish Government’s action on Housing 2

Irish Government Structure & Housing DECLG Approved Housing Bodies Housing Finance Agency Housing Agency Local Authorities NAMA PRTB Dept. of Social Protection

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. 4

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 5

6

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 7

Unfinished Housing Estates YearUnfinished Housing Developments Dwellings Complete and Vacant 20102,84623, ,06618, ,77016, ,2586,370 8

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 9

Housing Issues in

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 11

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

Housing Demand – by household 13

Construction 2020 Construction A Strategy for a Renewed Construction Sector Some Key actions include: a)National Housing Framework b)Housing Task Force for Dublin c)Social Housing Strategy d)Amendments to Planning System 14

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 )A range of specific actions 15

Time to Change

Priorities 1)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 17

Thank You Tel: