Housing provision affected by ‘not-in-my-backyard’ attitude

Non-profit housing associations have called for a “generation of investment” to solve the crisis of homelessness.

The Irish Council of Social Housing said the culture of nimbyism (not in my back yard) has to be challenged to crack the endless cycle of families ending up in hostels and hotels for emergency stays. The group said government, councils and voluntary organisations need to supply more than the promised 6,000 social homes a year.

And ICSH chief executive Donal McManus said social housing should get year-on-year investment rather than vote-winning funding at election time.