Respond Housing launched its Pre Budget Submission, calling on the Government to ensure that affordable rental housing for intermediate households is prioritised in Budget 2020. The organisation said the Budget provides a timely opportunity for the Government to assess what policies are working well and to introduce new options to ensure that the housing and homelessness crisis is addressed more effectively. Respond called on the Government to look at people focused solutions in order to have a better impact on communities, as well as the wider economy.

Niamh Randall, Spokesperson for Respond, said that Respond want to see the Government introduce a National Affordable Rental Scheme.

‘A National Affordable Rental Scheme is urgently needed to address the housing needs of so called intermediate households; that is households that won’t qualify for a mortgage and are really struggling to rent in the private rental sector but are not eligible for social housing. This should be available on State land but also on private land so that Approved Housing Bodies, such as Respond, can deliver affordable rental homes alongside Local Authorities. This differs from the Cost Rental model which is based on the costs of delivering, managing and maintaining your home.’

Niamh Randall, Spokesperson for Respond, said that there needs to be an increase in capital Budget to deliver social housing.

‘We in Respond want to build and deliver as many homes as we possibly can to ensure we are meeting social housing need. It is essential that this capital budget is a ring-fenced budget, separate from the budget for the Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) which goes to pay rents in the private rental market. We believe that people are entitled to, and deserve, a home for life. There must be a forward looking approach to delivering more social and affordable homes, moving away from reliance on the private market.’

Niamh Randall, Spokesperson for Respond said that Budget 2020 must also prioritise homeless prevention.

‘Prevention and early intervention are key to ending the crisis and stopping the flow of families and individuals into emergency accommodation. People must be supported to keep a roof over their heads and enabling them to maintain their tenancy, their home, is critical. We know that Housing First is the best way to address homelessness so Budget 2020 must ensure that we are working towards a Housing First model, implementing the National Housing First strategy.’

For further information and interviews contact:

Helen McCormack

Tel: 087 104 7793

Email: helen.mccormack@respond.ie

Editor Notes:

A copy of Respond’s Pre Budget Submission is available here

Respond’s Ten Priority Actions for Budget 2020

About Respond

Our vision is that every family and individual in Ireland will have high‐quality housing as part of a vibrant and caring community. Respond, a not‐for‐profit housing association, has been working all around Ireland for over 36 years. We firmly believe that housing and decent accommodation in the areas where people want to live are central to improving people’s lives and enhancing the health and well‐being of society. We are proactively responding to the housing and homelessness crisis providing real on‐the‐ground solutions and we are working hard to identify ways to support people to move out of homelessness into secure homes quickly. We own and manage 4,526 homes across the 26 counties in Ireland where approximately 9,000 tenants live. Respond currently have 1,086 homes in construction and onsite.

We provide emergency accommodation with support for families who are homeless in six Family Hubs where our goal is to support families to move into secure homes as quickly as possible leaving homelessness behind. We provide wraparound support in relation to access to housing, mental and physical health services, family or parenting support and a range of other issues. We also continue to work with families once they have moved on to ensure the sustainability of these exits. In addition to housing and related work we also provide Day Care Services for Older People, Early Education, Childcare, Family Support and Resettlement Services.

 At €1,200 per month for two bedroom apartments, starting rents will be significantly below current local open market rents. The rent will be based on the cost of building, managing and maintaining the homes

10^th September 2019: Mr Eoghan Murphy, T.D., Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, and An Cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Councillor Shay Brennan,  will turn the sod on the first ever Cost Rental development in the State at Enniskerry Road, Stepaside, Dublin today.

Cost Rental is housing where the rents charged cover the cost of delivering, managing and maintaining the homes. As the rent paid by the tenant in a Cost Rental tenancy is designed to only cover the actual costs, rents will not be driven by market movements. The groundbreaking project will deliver 105 social homes and 50 two-bedroom Cost Rental homes.

Respond and Tuath Housing Associations will be delivering the scheme in partnership with Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council on land provided by the Housing Agency under the Land Aggregation Scheme. This first Cost Rental pilot project under Rebuilding Ireland is the result of an innovative collaboration between Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, the Housing Agency, the Housing Finance Agency, the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, Respond and Tuath Housing Associations.

The overall development value of the 155 homes and the community facility is in the order of €55,000,000 including, construction works, design fees, development levies and VAT. The construction work was tendered on a competitive basis in accordance with EU procurement requirements.

Tenants will pay €1,200 per month to live in the 2-bedroom Cost Rental homes delivered as part of this project. The rent of €1,200 per month, which is based on the cost of delivering and maintaining the homes, is a significant reduction when compared to market rents for 2-bedroom apartments in this location. Funding is being provided through the Housing Finance Agency and the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. The new homes will be delivered in 2021.

Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government Eoghan Murphy T.D. commenting on this development said:

“I am very pleased to formally mark the commencement of construction on this important site. Not only will the project deliver the first 50 Cost Rental apartments in this new category of housing in Ireland, it will also provide 105 social housing homes as part of our ongoing efforts to meet ambitious targets in this sector. Cost Rental will provide affordable homes to middle and lower income earners at a cost to residents that is significantly below market rates.  Work is underway within my Department and with a range of State agencies to complete a national policy framework for Cost Rental that will detail the optimum means of delivering units at scale, and set out the structures for its operation. This is both the first Cost Rental project to commence construction on a national basis. It is also the first project to receive funding under my Department’s innovative Serviced Sites Fund, which has made available € 310 million in grant funding for infrastructure works to support the provision of affordable housing. The lessons that will be learned through this pilot project will be important in helping to shape this model into the future. I would like to commend the work of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, the Housing Agency, Respond and Tuath, in getting the project to this stage, and am delighted to see such progress on the site to date.”

An Cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Cllr Shay Brennan speaking about the project said:

This project on Enniskerry Road delivers 155 much needed social and affordable homes with integrated community facilities. It is a landmark in both collaborative development and the first pilot nationally of a new Cost Rental model. The development was designed in house by the Councils Architect Department and will be constructed and managed by Respond and Tuath Housing Associations with the assistance of the Housing Agency and the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. This Council is committed to directly delivering and also facilitating the delivery of innovative, high quality and award winning housing solutions for people in our community; like the recently completed Georges Place in Dún Laoghaire, Fitzgerald Park in Mountown and Rosemount in Dundrum. I have every confidence that this new project at Enniskerry Road will be a further high quality addition to housing stock in our area and I am delighted to be at the launch of the project.”

John O’Connor, CEO of the Housing Agency speaking about the role of the Housing Agency in the project said:

“The Housing Agency have put a lot of work into progressing this development and providing the land. The Agency as particularly supportive of having Cost Rental combined with the provision of social housing. We expect that this will be the first of many such Cost Rental developments in the future.”

Barry O’Leary, CEO of the Housing Finance Agency speaking about the project finance said:

“The HFA is very pleased to support this development on the Enniskerry Road, which will provide 155 new social and affordable homes in Dublin. The project is a new venture for the sector with two of the most active Approved Housing Bodies, Respond and Tuath, combining to deliver the first affordable scheme of this type in the country. The availability of low cost, long term fixed rate finance from the HFA was a vital component in making the project viable and the HFA will continue to support the strong growth in activity by approved housing bodies across the country as we work together to achieve the objectives set out in Rebuilding Ireland. “

John O’Connor, Chairperson of Respond Housing Association, said:

“We are very excited about this project and the Cost Rental homes it will deliver. This is only possible due to significant collaboration with all of our partners working hard together. This is a priority area of work for Respond as it is clear that some form of intermediate housing is needed for those who don’t qualify for social housing, won’t be able to afford a mortgages and yet cannot afford market rents. During this housing and homelessness crisis, it has become extremely difficult for an individual or family to rent an affordable, secure home. There are large numbers of people in Ireland who cannot afford the rents which are being charged in the locations where they work, attend college or near where their social networks are based. Cost Rental models are already the norm in other European countries. The Enniskerry Road Project is part of a process bringing Ireland more in line with European housing policy especially in relation to the Private Rental Sector. Across Europe neighbours from all walks of life live in housing association developments side by side.”

Daragh O’Sullivan, Vice Chairperson of Tuath Housing commented;

“Tuath are delighted to have started construction on Ireland’s first Cost Rental development in partnership with Respond, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, The Housing Agency, The Housing Finance Agency and the Department of Housing Planning and Local Government. The rent paid by tenants will cover the cost of providing the homes, not a cent more. We are thrilled to be involved in a project which offers moderate income households the choice of a more affordable, long-term and stable form of rental tenure than exists presently, with the added benefit that their rent will not be driven by price changes in the private rental market.”

For further information and interviews contact:

Helen McCormack

Tel: 087 104 7793

Email: helen.mccormack@respond.ie

About the event:

Date: Tuesday, 10^th September 2019

Time: 11am sharp

Venue: Enniskerry Road, Stepaside, Dublin 18. See exact location https://www.google.com/maps/place/53.2611461930886+-6.226662665540062/@53.2611461930886,-6.226662665540062,17z

Editors Notes:

The Enniskerry Road Project was designed by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council for the construction of 155 social and affordable homes, a community facility along with green spaces at Enniskerry Road, Stepaside, Dublin 18. The site is located near to a wide range of amenities, public facilities, schools, health services, local community and sports groups. Enniskerry Road provides access to the LUAS Green Line, the 47 bus route, and the M50 motorway. The project is the result of a collaboration between Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, the Housing Agency, Respond and Tuath Housing Associations, and the Housing Finance Agency. Financial support is also being provided through the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.

The project includes 50 Cost Rental homes and 105 social homes to be apportioned between Respond (78 homes including 25 Cost Rental) and Tuath (77 homes including 25 Cost Rental). The homes will be a mix of 1, 2 and 3 bedroom properties. All of the 50 Cost Rental homes will be 2-bedroom apartments.

Minister for Finance Pascal Donohoe visits the new residential development in Kilbarry, Co. Waterford.

05^th September 2019 Minister for Finance Pascal Donohoe will be on location in Kilbarry to visit a new residential development by Respond which includes 69 new homes including 9 one-bed apartments, 6 two-bed apartments, 26 two-bed houses and 28 three-bed houses. This project is in partnership with Waterford City and County Council, the Department of Housing and the Housing Finance Agency. This is part of Respond’s National Delivery Programme with 1,086 homes currently under construction and on site

Niamh Randall, Head of Advocacy and Communications speaking about this development said:

“Waterford is very important to Respond and our development programme as a national Housing Association. It is where we began our work in 1982 and where we had our first housing scheme. Respond has completed 595 dwellings to date in the Waterford City and County area.

This new development in Kilbarry represents 69 new homes for 69 families and individuals who can create a community here and we hope they will be very happy. The development is due to be completed by mid Quarter 2 – 2020 and would not have happened without the ongoing co-operation and collaboration of our partners. We would like to thank the Waterford City and County Council,  Department of Housing, the Housing Agency and the Housing Finance Agency.”

“We are building homes throughout the country for families and individuals who are in housing need, with 1,086 new homes under construction and on site nationally right now. A secure place to call home is critical to the quality of life and wellbeing of individuals and families. We see first-hand the devastating impact of homelessness and insecure housing in our work with families and children. Our long term aim is to provide lifetime social and affordable homes to a far greater proportion of the population, bringing Ireland more into line with our European counterparts. We have also committed to supporting households and individuals experiencing homelessness on their journey back to independent living and providing safe and secure housing in the short-term in the form of supported temporary emergency accommodation. ”

This development includes a unit mix of 1, 2 and 3 bedroom homes to help address social housing need in this area. According to the latest available figures in the Social Housing Needs Assessment (2018) there are almost 1,117 households on the social housing waiting list in Waterford. The Development is 4km from Waterford City Centre. It is accessible via the Outer Ring Road (R710) which connects it to the N25 heading to Cork/Rosslare and linking onto the N9/M9 heading to Dublin.

Niamh Randall, Head of Advocacy and Communications continued speaking about the work of Respond:

“Respond believes that every person has the right to a secure, affordable home that meets their needs throughout their lifetime. Our vision is that every family and individual in Ireland will have high-quality housing as part of a vibrant and caring community. This is challenging with the current housing and homeless crisis and we are concerned that the numbers of men, women and children in emergency accommodation continues to grow. At the heart of this is ensuring the supply of social and affordable housing at scale to meet the levels of housing need. We are very clear that all families and individuals want, need and deserve a secure home of their own and that all our efforts must be redoubled to achieve this.”

Respond, who have been working across Ireland for 36 years, continues to offer real on-the-ground solutions by building new homes and actively working with families who are homeless with 1,086 homes under construction and on site this year so far, 6 family hubs and a commitment to deliver 2,500 homes by 2023.

For further information and interviews contact:

Niamh Randall, Head of Advocacy and Communications 085 8588384

Editors Notes

Ministerial Visit to Kilbarry, Co.Waterford

Date: Thursday, 05^th of September 2019

Time: 11.45am

About Respond

Our vision is that every family and individual in Ireland will have high‐quality housing as part of a vibrant and caring community. Respond, a not‐for‐profit housing association, has been working all around Ireland for over 36 years. We firmly believe that housing and decent accommodation in the areas where people want to live are central to improving people’s lives and enhancing the health and well‐being of society. We are proactively responding to the housing and homelessness crisis providing real on‐the‐ground solutions and we are working hard to identify ways to support people to move out of homelessness into secure homes quickly. We own and manage 4,526 homes across the 26 counties in Ireland where approximately 9,000 tenants live. We provide emergency accommodation with support for families who are homeless in six Family Hubs where our goal is to support families to move into secure homes as quickly as possible leaving homelessness behind. We provide wraparound support in relation to access to housing, mental and physical health services, family or parenting support and a range of other issues. We also continue to work with families once they have moved on to ensure the sustainability of these exits. In addition to housing and related work we also provide Day Care Services for Older People, Early Education, Childcare, Family Support and Resettlement Services.