The Simon Communities in Ireland have welcomed the launch today of Pillar Three ‘Build More Homes’ of Rebuilding Ireland: Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness. The charity said that the determination to increase the output of private housing is welcome. In particular, the Simon Communities said that the announcement to fast track 30,000 in major urban areas is critical to meet demand at affordable prices. The establishment of a Housing Delivery Office at the disposal of the relevant local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies and those interested in housing development to help trouble-shoot will hopefully speed up and streamline approval processes and ensure that critical infrastructure is in place. In addition, the plan to improve access to funds for housing delivery for Local Authorities through the Housing Finance Agency is a much needed development. 

The Simon Communities in Ireland have said that they welcome the budget increases to tackle homelessness, whilst warning that urgent implementation and delivery of promises on housing and homelessness is key. The homelessness and housing charity said that the investment of €5.5 billion into social housing and housing infrastructure cannot come soon enough and that people who are homeless and those at risk of homelessness cannot wait any longer. There are over 6,500 people living in emergency accommodation and at least 100,000 people on the social housing waiting list. 

The Simon Communities in Ireland have welcomed the launch today of Pillar Two ’accelerating social housing’ of Rebuilding Ireland: Action Plan for Housing and Homelessness. The charity said the determination to ensure social housing building and acquisitions are increased quickly is essential. In particular, the partnership approach involving Local Authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHB) is very positive and much needed to ensure those is most need are prioritised. The establishment of a Housing Delivery Office and Housing Procurement Unit will mean that specific targets and timelines can be met and monitored ensuring a streamlined approval process.

• Just 20% of available properties (102 properties) were available to rent within the RS/HAP limits for the four categories included in this study. 
• A fall of 55% from 1,150 homes available to rent in May 2015 when the first Locked Out study was undertaken to 518 homes being available to rent in August 2016. 
• Eight properties were available to rent across the 10 locations falling within rent supplement/HAP limits for a single person.
• 11 properties were available to rent for a couple across the 10 locations falling within rent supplement/HAP limits.