On the 16th June, the International Social Housing Festival was held in Helsinki, Finland. The Housing Agency partnered with our colleagues in Clúid Housing and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to deliver an in-person and online seminar entitled Cost Rental: A New Approach from Ireland. We were also delighted to welcome a panel of international cost rental experts from Austria, Denmark and Finland.

Part 1: From Concept to Delivery - The Cost Rental journey

• Welcome and introduction - Roslyn Molloy, Head of Policy & Practice, The Housing Agency
• Ireland’s housing environment and policy context which supported the development of Cost Rental - Alan Smyth, Assistant Principal, Affordable Purchase and Cost Unit, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
• Operating Irish Cost Rental Scheme - Gwen Perry, Head of Affordable Housing, The Housing Agency
   

Part 2: The Irish Cost Rental model compared to International models - Panel Discussion

Moderated by Dara Turnbull, Research Coordinator, Housing Europe

Speakers:

• Gerlinde Gutheil-Knopp-Kirchwald, Austrian Federation of Limited Profit Housing Association
• Jaana Naro, President of the Finnish Affordable Housing Companies’ Federation- Kova and CEO of Helsinki City Housing Company
• Solveig Raberg Tingey, Deputy CEO, BL-Danish Federation of Non-Profit Housing Federation
• Fiona Dunkin, Policy Manager, Clúid Housing 
   

Part 3: Lessons from an Irish Housing Association providing new Cost Rental homes

• Lessons on delivering cost rental homes in Ireland to inform future delivery - James O'Halloran, Senior Supply Manager, Clúíd Housing

• The impact of living in Cost Rental Homes -Results from research with new residents on the impact of living in their new cost rental homes in Ireland - Fiona Dunkin, Policy Manager, Clúid Housing 

Close - Roslyn Molloy, Head of Policy & Practice, The Housing Agency

If you were unable to attend the event, would like to rewatch the seminar or share with colleagues a recording of the full lecture is now available to view online, on our youtube channel. 

The Housing Agency’s Research Summer Seminar Series will highlight new and interesting research in the area of housing in Ireland and will showcase research conducted, or supported by The Housing Agency. This series will bring together a variety of academics, practitioners, and public servants. The series will be of interest to housing practitioners, academics, legislators, policy makers, academics, and all those working in the housing, local government, justice and equality sectors.

There will be three lunchtime webinars as follows:

Session 1: Experiences of Renting in Ireland (took place on the 9th June)

The first session of the Research Summer Series is on the topic of renting in Ireland, with a particular focus of the private rented sector. This webinar will feature insights from Dr. Richard Waldron, of Queen’s University Belfast, who will discuss housing precarity and “generation rent.” Anne Murphy, Research Analyst at the Housing Agency, will look at The Housing Agency’s national study of Irish housing experiences, focusing on the difference between renters and homeowners.

You can watch the event back on our YouTube channel. 

Dr. Richard Waldron: Generation Rent

This presentation connects debates within the Generation Rent literature with more recent work on housing precarity, or the uncertainty arising from the experience of insecure, unaffordable and poor-quality housing. The article develops and applies a Housing Precarity Index (HPI) to data on private renters in Ireland to provide a nuanced account of the extent and severity of precarities in the Irish rental sector among differing sub-groups during a housing market crash and “recovery” period (2008 - 2016). The article identifies the key drivers of housing precarity and assesses their contribution to further declining living standards among renters into the future.

Richard Waldron is a lecturer in the School of Natural and Built Environment at Queen’s University Belfast. His research relates to the intersection of urban planning policy, housing markets and strategies of urban economic development. His work has been published in leading journals, including Housing Studies, the International Journal of Urban and Regional Research and Environment and Planning A.

Anne Murphy: The housing experiences and aspirations series: focus on renters 2020

This presentation will cover The Housing Agency’s national study series of Irish housing experiences, attitudes and aspirations, which has been running since 2018. It will share findings about renters’ housing experiences compared with owners, using the 2020 data.

Anne Murphy joined the Agency as a Research Analyst in September 2020 and has worked on a range of research projects. The main focus of Anne’s work is the Agency’s behaviours and attitudes national survey series. Before joining the Agency, Anne managed a medical library, was an information specialist on systematic review teams and served for over a decade on a Health Research Ethics Committee

Session 2 of the Research Summer Series will be held on the 28^th July and will relate to Local Authorities. This session will feature a presentation on Tenant Engagement from Dr. Padraic Kenna of NUI Galway, and a session on Void Management by Campbell Tickell. You can register for this event here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_c1sINDSHTdeAzcLYTVqF7A

The third session of the Summer Series will be held on the 15^th September. More details to follow.

 

 

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien, TD, and the Chief Executive of The Housing Agency, Bob Jordan, today launched a call for Expressions of Interest in the Government’s proposed Croí Cónaithe (Cities) Scheme, which aims to increase supply of owner-occupier apartments and provide those who wish to purchase a home with a greater choice. The Scheme is expected to deliver up to 5,000 additional apartments for individuals seeking to buy a home in the five cities of Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford. It will also support the Government’s objectives of compact growth and creating vibrant liveable cities for people who want to live close to work and urban amenities.

Under the proposed scheme, a major initiative in Housing for All, the Government’s housing plan to 2030, a viability fund will help kick-start construction of apartment schemes in the five cities of Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway, and Waterford, activating some of the estimated 70,000 un-commenced planning permissions across the country. The figure for un-commenced permissions in Dublin is approximately 40,000, which is about four years of housing supply in the capital.

Building on the evidence provided in successive reports by the Society of Chartered Surveyors and others, the Scheme is targeting the activation of existing planning permissions for apartment developments over four-storeys high that cost more to build than they can be sold for to individual buyers. The Croí Cónaithe (Cities) Scheme will bridge the viability gap for those developments deemed to meet the eligibility criteria and the support is only payable at the point of final conveyance to an eligible owner-occupier. The Government has allocated €450 million for the Scheme up to 2026.

The Croí Cónaithe (Cities) Scheme will be managed by The Housing Agency on behalf of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Over the next six weeks The Housing Agency will be accepting Expressions of Interest from proposers for eligible schemes.

Commenting on the planned scheme, Minister O’Brien said:

“Increasing supply is key to improving the housing market. The objective of Croí Cónaithe (Cities) Scheme is to increase the supply of apartments for people to buy and live in, in cities. It’s about giving people who wish to buy a home and live in cities more choice, in turn making our cities more vibrant. This initiative supports the Government’s aim of compact growth and tackling climate change by providing housing in our urban cores rather than through urban sprawl.

Right now, there are many planning permissions for apartments in cities that have not been activated due to a viability gap between the cost of delivering an apartment and the market value for them. This time-bound targeted measure will help activate planning permissions and provide badly needed supply. Increasing the supply of owner-occupier apartments also frees up housing in the rental sector and can reduce pressure on the rental market. This scheme, in conjunction with the Government’s other initiatives such as Help-to-Buy and the soon to be announced First Home Shared Equity Scheme will mean that city living will become a reality for people.”

The Housing Agency’s Chief Executive, Bob Jordan, said:

“It is really important to provide opportunities for individuals and families to buy and live in apartments in our cities. “The Housing Agency looks forward to supporting the implementation of the Croí Cónaithe (Cities) scheme. Over the next six weeks we will be inviting expressions of interest for eligible apartment developments.”

Expressions of interest close on 21st June 2022. More information can be found at: https://www.housingagency.ie/CroiConaitheCities

The Government has submitted a pre-notification of the Scheme to the European Commission, in accordance with European Commission State Aid approvals processes.

The Housing Agency, in collaboration with The Law Society of Ireland, recently presented a webinar delivering insights into the Housing for All actions to reform owners’ management companies (OMCs).

With apartment living on the rise, this recording will be of interest to a wide audience including legal and housing practitioners, property management professionals, and other stakeholders in the multi-unit developments (MUDs) and OMC sector.

Expert speakers explored Housing for All actions for regulation in relation to service charges, sinking funds, and dispute resolution in MUDs.

All information is correct as of broadcast date. The views expressed in the recording below do not necessarily represent the views of The Housing Agency.

Broadcast date: 4 May 2022.

Click below to watch the recording of the webinar:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pbu-gQkkkc0

Vacancies on the Pyrite Resolution Board

This Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage invites applications from suitably qualified candidates to fill the position of Chairperson and three Ordinary Member positions on the Pyrite Resolution Board. 

Details of these vacancies and how to apply can be found on the Public Appointments Service website StateBoards.ie.

Webinar: Owners’ management companies- a discussion of legal reform under Housing for All

The Housing Agency in collaboration with the Law Society of Ireland presents insights on the Housing for All actions to reform owners’ management companies (OMCs).

Expert panellists Suzanne Bainton, Paul Mooney, and Rory O’Donnell will explore Housing for All actions for regulation in relation to service charges, sinking funds, and dispute resolution in multi-unit developments (MUDs).

This event will be of interest to a wide audience including legal and housing practitioners, property management professionals, and other stakeholders in the MUDs and OMC sector. 

The one-hour webinar will take place at 12.30pm on Wednesday 4 May 2022.

Registration is free of charge and is via this Zoom link:

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_HVmXxJ85TG65A9tNWVR0yA

Attendance at the live event carries one hour’s CPD for Law Society members.

Webinar Programme

- Introduction & background

- Panellists' insights on Housing for All actions

- Panel discussion and online Q&A.

Questions for panellists for the Q&A may be emailed to MUD@housingagency.ie

The session will be recorded for future use.

Places are limited to 1,000 attendees on a first-come first-served basis.

 

We are delighted to announce that booking and registration for the 2022 Housing Practitioners’ Conference is now open and you can register at the details provided below. This Conference will take place as an in-person event this year for the first time since 2019.

The 2022 Conference will take place in the Grand Hotel Malahide on Thursday, May 26th and a half day on Friday, May 27th.

The Conference is being organised as a joint-initiative between the Institute of Public Administration and the Housing Agency.

Programme

The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien, will open the Conference which will involve a day and a half of expert speakers and workshops discussing best practice and policy on housing, under the umbrella of Housing for All: Supply, Sustainability and Capacity.

The full programme can be found at this link: PROGRAMME LINK

Registration/Booking

You can book your place at the conference at the link provided here: REGISTRATION LINK.

To book your place you will need your contact email address, a Purchase Order Number and an email address for invoicing.

The cost of attending is €320 per person (not including accommodation).

For every 5 participants that are booked to attend, a 6th participant can attend for free.

Accommodation

Accommodation at the Grand Hotel Malahide can be booked separately at a reduced rate and a link to do so will be provided in the coming days.

There are also a number of alternative accommodation options in the vicinity of Malahide and we will forward a list of them for your convenience in due course.

Please forward these details to any colleagues who may be interested in attending.

If you have any queries please don’t hesitate to contact us. We look forward to seeing you at the conference.

Summary Report

A Summary Report of the conference can be read here. 

Appointment of Researchers - Research into the Multi-Unit Developments Act 2011

The Housing Agency, in collaboration with the Construction Bar Association of Ireland, wishes to appoint researchers to provide research services in 2022 in relation to decisions of the Dublin Circuit Civil Court under the provisions of the Multi-Unit Developments Act 2011.

Further details, including criteria for assessment of applications, are set out in this specification.

Interested candidates are asked to apply by email to MUD@housingagency.ie with a CV and cover letter stating why he or she may be suitable for the role.

The deadline for receipt of valid applications is 5pm on Friday 22 April 2022.

Queries in relation to the above should be directed to MUD@housingagency.ie

Tenure Mixing and ‘Tenure Blind’ Design Key to Integrated Communities of Private and Social Housing Residents– Important Research of AHB Housing Flags Successes and Obstacles to Help Inform National Public Housing Policy –

A report being launched today (31st March), commissioned by the Housing Agency and the Irish Council for Social Housing (ICSH) and carried out by Professor Michelle Norris and Dr. Aideen Hayden of UCD finds that strong and integrated communities have developed among the private and social housing residents in mixed tenure estates, and that there is overwhelming support for tenure mixing as a key policy to combatting socio-spatial segregation. Over the past twenty years, the percentage of Approved Housing Body (AHB) owned or managed social housing located in mixed tenure estates has increased from 20% to 78.2%; this reflects state policy objectives and measures such as Part V.

The report, Social Housing in Mixed Tenure Communities, looks at social housing provided by approved housing bodies (AHBs) in mixed tenure developments, the reasons why decisions are made to cluster or disperse social housing in these estates and how well these models work from both AHB staff and tenant perspectives. An important key finding is that both clustered and dispersed social housing has worked well, despite the consensus in favour of the dispersal of social housing. ‘Tenure blind’ design of mixed tenure housing was considered more important (in both the research literature and case study interviews) for the integration of residents of different tenures than the location of the social rented dwellings. This can be applied in both clustered and dispersed settings.

The report also identifies that high standards of housing management are important for the success of mixed tenure estates but that management can be challenging, particularly in view of the stigma that still attaches to social housing. Approved housing bodies’ strong record in this regard is identified as another factor contributing to the success of the case study estates.

Speaking at today’s launch Donal McManus, ICSH Chief Executive says:

“This report documents a success story that needs to be shared. The majority of the AHB tenants, private owners and private tenants interviewed for the research agree that tenure mixing is positive. Also, initial homeowner preconceptions about AHBs and social residents becoming their neighbours, were alleviated over time. Interviews with social residents reveal that community integration in general is of greater importance than the location of their home, and that non-housing amenities, such as playgrounds and inclusion in residents’ committees can help cement the bonds of community. Critically too, the research interviews with AHB CEOs and staff did not identify any great difficulty in the management of mixed tenure over single tenure estates. The sector has the skills and knowledge required.”

The research identifies additional factors, such as procurement and funding models, as well as estate design, which influence the delivery and location of social housing in mixed tenure estates. A significant finding of the analysis is the important role that social housing plays in underpinning the financial viability of market housing provision in mixed tenure estates. The practical advantage for social landlords of purchasing whole apartment blocks for social housing, and the benefits this offers to developers faced with the upfront financing required to develop apartment blocks is helping to drive the clustering of this tenure. The report calls for a holistic assessment of the impact of residential density guidelines (intended and unintended) and research on ways of achieving density without relying entirely on high-rise.

Co-Author of the report, Professor of Social Policy and Director of the Geary Institute for Public Policy, UCD says:

“This research represents important learning for us. The socio-economic issues arising from the spatial concentration of low-income households and the impact of social mixing have been much studied internationally. However, the volume of Irish research has been small. The lack of information on tenure mixing in Ireland represents a critical knowledge gap and its implementation as a policy may also be challenged given current developments in housing policy. This research aims to bridge these information gaps and raises important considerations for housing policy such as design (tenure blind) and layout, the tenure mix of neighbouring communities, density issues, appropriate funding to support management fees and planning and housing policy to support the monitoring of socio-spatial segregation.”

 Bob Jordan, Chief Executive of the Housing Agency added:

“The Housing Agency is strongly committed to promoting sustainable communities through mixed tenure. Approximately eight out of every ten homes owned or managed by Approved Housing Bodies are in mixed tenure estates and this proportion is likely to grow in the years ahead. This research shows that tenure mixing can improve the quality of life of the residents of all tenures and it can benefit surrounding neighbourhoods as well. Key to community integration is ‘tenure blind’ design, good estate management, the provision of amenities including playgrounds and community centres, and the work of residents’ associations. The Housing Agency is pleased to have supported this research and we look forward to advancing its recommendations.”

A video recording of the event is available on our YouTube channel here. 

ENDS

 Prof. Michelle Norris and Dr. Aideen Hayden are available for interview.

For further information and interview bids, please contact:

Sarah Kennedy, Communications Manager, The Housing Agency

Tel: 087 7041925

Email: sarah.kennedy@housingagency.ie

 

Notes:

• The report and executive summary are available for download in our publications section.
• The launch of the Social Housing in Mixed Tenure Communities is taking place on Zoom on the 31st of March at 11 – 12.30. You can register here: Webinar Registration - Zoom
• The research asks the following key questions:
  • To what extent are either dispersed or clustered housing models adopted in mixed tenure estates in which Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) are active?
  • What are the reasons for AHBs in seeking to adopt either approach?
  • Are there best practice models which can provide guidance for AHBs in delivering social housing in mixed tenure estates?
• This research employed a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods. These include:
  • Review of research literature, policies, memoranda, guidelines and administrative data.
  • Survey of Tier 3 AHBs that own dwellings in mixed tenure estates. 13 AHBs completed the survey, which is a response rate of 76%.
  • 5 case studies of mixed tenure estates were conducted involving 10 one-to-one interviews with key stakeholders in each estate.
  • 8 in-depth interviews were carried out with key informants who were not connected to specific estates but were knowledgeable and experienced in the area.

• Funding of Social Housing in Mixed Tenure Estates:

	Total		Clustered		Dispersed		Clustered & Dispersed
Funding Mechanism	Units %	Estates %	Units %	Estates %	Units %	Estates %	Units %	Estates %
Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS)	11.8	8.9	6.9	8.1	17.5	6.4	36.2	26.8
Capital Loan and Subsidy Scheme (CLSS)	32.4	25.8	39.8	32.6	10.2	7.8	11.1	12.2
Capital Advance Leasing Facility and a Payment and Availability Agreement	30.0	42.6	28.1	35.4	40.1	66.0	30.7	41.5
Leased for social housing	7.8	7.2	6.8	7.4	12.0	6.4	9.5	7.3
Managed on behalf of a local authority	8.9	9.1	8.2	9.2	14.0	9.9	6.9	4.9
Using a mix of the aforementioned schemes	9.1	6.4	10.1	7.2	6.3	3.5	5.7	7.3

 

About The Housing Agency

The Housing Agency is a Government body working with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies in the delivery of housing and housing services. The Agency’s vision is to achieve an integrated housing system, meeting the nation’s housing needs and promoting sustainable communities. It does this by providing evidence-based housing insights and data that inform thinking and policy-making; by working with others to enable the delivery of housing solutions and to implement programmes and actions in Government housing policy; and by equipping itself and its stakeholders with the capacity required to respond quickly and effectively to challenges in the housing system. For more information, visit www.housingagency.ie or follow The Housing Agency on Twitter and LinkedIn.

About the Irish Council for Social Housing

The Irish Council for Social Housing (ICSH) was established in 1982 and is the national social housing federation of nonprofit voluntary and other national housing associations. The ICSH represents approximately 270 member organisations that own and manage 45,000 homes and house 100,000 people including families on a low income, older people, disabled people and households experiencing homelessness. ICSH members operate in every local authority area in the country and in over 500 communities across Ireland. www.icsh.ie

About the Researchers

Professor Michelle Norris is UCD Head of the School of Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice and teaches social policy on the Bachelor of Social Science and Master of Public Policy degrees. Her teaching and research interests focus on housing policy and urban regeneration, particularly on: the management and financing of social housing; the regeneration of social housing estates and inner urban areas; comparative analysis of housing provision in Europe and the history and socio-economic implications of Irish housing policy and its relationship with the welfare state. She has led over 20 research project on these issues since 2000 and produced 50 publications on the results. In 2011 she was appointed by the Taoiseach as an independent member of the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) and in 2012, was appointed by the Minister for the Environment as Chair of the Board of the Housing Finance Agency.

Dr Aideen Hayden is a PhD graduate of the school of Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice and received a 2016 UCD Alumni Award for Social Science. She is a former Senator (former Seanad Eireann Spokesperson on Housing, Children and Youth Affairs, Spokesperson on Finance and Spokesperson on European Affairs, as well as Vice-Chair of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform). For almost three decades, Aideen has served as Chair of Threshold, the leading advice and advocacy organisation working on behalf of tenants in the private rented sector.

 

Housing Agency launches new National Office for Housing First

– Housing First programme aims to tackle long-term homelessness and provide holistic supports for those with complex needs –

A Housing First National Office has been launched today (02.03.22) by The Housing Agency, which also announced the appointment of Rob Lowth as the new National Director for the Housing First programme.

Housing First aims to eliminate homelessness for people with a history of rough sleeping and long-term use of emergency homeless accommodation, who have complex needs around mental health, substance use, physical health, and other social and behavioural challenges. It provides direct access to permanent housing, together with intensive housing and health supports delivered mainly in the person’s home.

The Housing First National Office is a new national directorate based at The Housing Agency, which – under Mr. Lowth’s leadership – will be responsible for coordinating and driving a national, cross-Government approach to Housing First, as set out in the ‘Housing First National Implementation Plan, 2022-2026’. Working in partnership with local authorities, HSE, NGOs and Approved Housing Bodies the office will:

• Support regional and local delivery of the Housing First programme;
• Oversee performance on the achievement of agreed Housing First targets; and
• Evaluate the processes used in implementing Housing First in Ireland.

Ireland’s Housing First programme is based on the Pathways Housing First programme, which was developed in New York in 1992 by Dr. Sam Tsemberis – as a response to the needs of people who were sleeping rough and who had severe mental health problems that necessitated frequent admissions to psychiatric hospitals

Launch of Housing First

Dr. Sam Tsemberis was a special guest at the launch of the new national office today, alongside Darragh O’Brien TD, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and Frank Feighan TD, Minister of State for Public Health, Wellbeing and National Drugs Strategy.

Commenting at the launch, Minister O’Brien said:

"’Housing First’ is one of the key responses in ending long-term homelessness among those with complex health and mental health needs. It provides the most vulnerable of our homeless population with a home for life as well as with key wraparound health and social supports. It is a key tool in our armoury in helping those who are at the sharpest edge of homelessness.

Under the Housing First National Implementation Plan 2018-2021 a target of 663 tenancies was set.  By the end of 2021, this target was exceeded with 756 tenancies created.  The new Implementation Plan 2022-2026 has an expanded target of 1,319 new tenancies over the lifetime of the Plan.  I am determined that we will meet this target and we will seek any and all opportunities to exceed it.

The new Housing First National Office under the experienced leadership of Mr. Lowth will bring together all the relevant support services, ensuring there is greater cooperation and coordination in tackling homelessness. I want to wish him every success in his new role.”

Minister Feighan said:

“I strongly support the establishment of a Housing First National Office, to drive the achievement of the target of 1,300 tenancies. Housing First puts people who are long-term homeless at the centre of government policymaking and requires our public services to prioritise and respond in a person-centred way to those with complex health and social needs. 

 The Housing First national office builds on the excellent collaboration between the Department of Health, the HSE and the Department of Housing and local authorities. It is my intention that a dedicated Dept of Health/HSE person will be part of the national office.”

Commenting today, Bob Jordan, Chief Executive Officer of The Housing Agency, said:

“Housing First is about supporting people who have experienced rough sleeping and long-term homelessness and providing them, first and foremost, with a permanent home, backed up by a range of intensive visiting supports tailored to each person’s individual needs. The establishment of this new Housing First National Office within the Housing Agency will help to drive forward the Government’s targets to provide a minimum of 1,319 additional Housing First tenancies by end 2026, bringing the total number of people supported under the Housing First programme to around 2,000 individuals.

“Rob Lowth has extensive experience in delivering services to people experiencing homelessness. Previously, he served as Head of Homeless Services for Limerick City and County Council. We are delighted to have him on board as the new National Director for Housing First, and look forward to drawing on his expertise in the coming months and years to continue to provide sustainable, permanent homes for the most marginalised people affected by homelessness.”

Background to Housing First

The programme is based on the belief that people experiencing homelessness and struggling with mental illness or addiction should not have to prove they are ‘housing ready’ in order to avail of housing supports. It has three main components:

1. The provision of permanent, affordable housing;
2. Dedicated, tailored case management and treatment services for each individual (for example, access to mental health, health and addiction services, as well as housing supports); and
3. A programme philosophy based on client choice and recovery.

In Ireland, Housing First commenced in Dublin in 2011, following a successful pilot, and the programme has been rolled out nationally since 2018. Nine regional Housing First services – spanning every local authority and HSE Community Health Organisation area in the country – have had responsibility for implementing the programme, with statutory agencies collaborating with NGOs on local service delivery. These nine regional services will now be coordinated and supported through the new national office for Housing First, overseen by the National Housing First Implementation Group.