City's fast-track affordable housing board named

A new Government think-tank will fast-track affordable housing in the greater Dublin area, it was claimed today.

Unveiling the new nine-member Affordable Housing Partnership Board, Minister for the Environment Dick Roche said it was a significant step on the road to securing more accommodation for city dwellers.

“We are fortunate in having assembled an excellent team who can hit the ground running and deliver faster affordable homes in the Greater Dublin Area,” said Mr Roche.

Board members include former SIPTU president, Des Geraghty, (chairperson); social policy consultant and former director of Dublin’s Homeless Agency, Professor Mary Lambkin of UCD Business School; Ballymun Regeneration Ltd chairperson Maureen Lynott; and Dublin City Council executive manager John O’Connor, who will act as interim chief executive.

The board includes managers of Dublin’s four local authorities: John Fitzgerald of Dublin City Council; Derek Brady of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council; John Tierney of Fingal County Council; and Joe Horan of South Dublin County Council.

Mr Roche said: “Getting more affordable homes of high quality and getting them in place faster is what it’s all about.”

Mr Roche rejected critics of the Harcourt Terrace pilot project which he said has resulted in 200 affordable housing units – more than six times what it would likely have accommodated.

He added: “140 of these houses are expected to be available this year, with the balance in 2006 – significantly ahead of the three to four years that it would normally take to bring a site from purchase through to the completion of houses.

“In terms of value for money, we have secured a very good deal for the public purse.”

Housing and Urban Renewal Minister Noel Ahern said: “The potential for the partnership to make a very real impact is enormous.”

Mr Roche said the Government will be reviewing progress of affordable housing and will bring in extra legislation if needed.

The board will also invite builders and developers to earmark land which may be suitable for affordable housing.

It will said it will ensure adequate infrastructural development is available to support new neighbourhoods.