Focus Ireland welcomes Govt new housing policy statement

Focus Ireland welcomed today's launch of the Government's new housing policy statement 'Delivering Homes, Sustaining Communities' but the organisation stressed the document is limited in scope and weakened by a failure to address in detail core issues impacting on the delivering of homes to those most in need.

Declan Jones, Chief Executive of Focus Ireland said: "Focus Ireland welcomes the aim of the housing policy to build sustainable communities through providing quality housing. Access to safe, secure and affordable housing which appropriately meets individual needs is a fundamental human need and it is critical to health, well being and participation in society."

Mr Jones welcomed many of the specific initiatives outlined in the plan noting: "It's good to see that many issues hindering access to housing are identified including improved standards and inspection in the private rented sector, reform of housing needs assessment and changes in the governance and funding of community and voluntary sector housing."

However, he added: "While these reforms are welcome, the level of commitment to social housing provision remains weak and the targets set out in this plan which echo the Social Partnership agreement Towards 2016 are below what is required."

Focus Ireland also expressed concern around the response to those who have support as well as housing needs.

Mr Jones commented: "The policy framework acknowledges the importance of interagency working in putting in place the multi-agency supports but is less clear on how this will be delivered. Delivering social as well as care based supports both in the home and the community is critical to ensuring people create and sustain a home. I would have liked to see a much more comprehensive and holistic document - signed not just by the Minister for the Environment, but by the Ministers for Health, Education and Social Welfare and Justice, - all need to be involved if we are going to make this work."

Focus Ireland is a national voluntary organisation that works to prevent people becoming, remaining or returning to homelessness. Focus Ireland provides a wide range of housing and support services to people moving out of homelessness. Focus Ireland has noted that the level of repeat homelessness is significant which reflects the difficulties many people have in accessing appropriate housing and adequate supports in the community."