International organisation aims to tackle housing crisis

A NEW international, non-profit, Christian housing organisation has promised to build affordable housing for up to 50 families in Ireland each year from 2006.

Habitat for Humanity International launched its Irish division in Dublin yesterday with the commitment to contribute towards a solution to the country's housing crisis.

The event coincided with the pledge by a South African-based Irish businessman Niall J Mellon to donate 1 million to a similar project run by Habitat for Humanity in Cape Town.

Mr Mellon, who comes originally from Rathfarnham but now has business interests in Ireland, Britain and South Africa, hopes to rebuild 450 homes in the Imizamo Yethu township near his home.

He said he had been inspired by soccer star Niall Quinn, who recently donated the proceeds of his testimonial to charity, in his own decision to donate 1m euro to Habitat for Humanity.

"As an Irish person living in South Africa, I'm reminded daily how lucky we are in Ireland we can take a roof over our head for granted," said Mr Mellon.

The chairman of the charity's Irish division, Patrick Linders, explained its aim was to help low income families in need of affordable housing to build and purchase their own homes.

Most families, with the assistance of volunteers, are expected to put in around 500 hours labour on their own home. "It's a hand-up not a handout," said Mr Linders.

He pointed out that more than 15,000 people were on housing waiting lists in Dublin with 10,000 people living in sub-standard dwellings and a further 5,000 living homeless in the city. "There is obviously a great need and we believe Habitat for Humanity can assist in addressing that need, although we cannot solve the housing problem," said Mr Linders.

Prospective candidates will be selected on the basis of need, ability to repay a mortgage and willingness to engage in the charity's partnership programme.

Mr Linders said the charity was in preliminary discussions with a number of local authorities about obtaining suitable sites for development. He predicted the first Irish project would be located in Dublin due to the shortage of housing in the capital.

Habitat for Humanity's international chairman Paul Leonard said Ireland had become the 85th country in which the charity had established a programme since it was founded in the US in 1976.

Over that period, the organisation has built more than 125,000 houses providing accommodation for 625,000 people.

"Every 26 minutes we complete a house somewhere in the world," said Mr Leonard.

"Our fundamental message is it is morally and socially unacceptable for people not to have a decent place to sleep at night."

The charity was formally launched by the Tánaiste Mary Harney in Dublin last night, having also been accorded a reception hosted by the President, Mary McAleese in Áras an Uachtaráin earlier in the afternoon.