Respond is a not-for-profit organisation

In relation to the letter from Jim O’Sullivan, Sligo (Jul 24), I wish to point out that the Respond Housing Association is a registered charity and not-for-profit organisation.

Any surpluses generated are reinvested in our communities.

We are not detrimental to the community, given that we positively support communities through the provision of services to our families, pre-schools, after-schools, training and education for our tenants.

We provide accommodation for people in need who cannot provide accommodation from their own resources.

Most of the “ghost estates” referred to are unfinished, and local authorities do not have the resources to complete them.

Hence, the voluntary housing sector is stepping up to the plate to complete these types of housing schemes for the benefit of families in need of housing.

Schemes are also made available to private landlords and developers to invest in.

Respond will not be in receipt of “cheap” money from the Housing Agency.

The acquisition of the Oakley Wood estate will be funded with borrowings from a private financial institution at market rates.

The “whopping” discount of 25% is incorrect.

The contention that there is “no right to purchase” is also incorrect.

These houses may come within the ambit of the Department of the Environment Incremental Purchase Scheme in the future, where occupiers are empowered to purchase their homes.

2012 marks the 30th jubilee anniversary of Respond Housing Association, and by the end of the year we will house almost 20,000 people in need of housing across the country.

Ned Brennan chief operating officer

Respond Housing Association

Waterford