Call for councils to push social housing

There will be "little or no" affordable homes for the thousands of families who need them, unless local authorities start fully and efficiently implementing Part V of planning and housing legislation, a major voluntary housing group warned yesterday.

Martin Farrelly, of the Clúid Housing Association, was speaking at the opening of four apartment schemes, delivered under Part V in south Dublin.

Under Part V of the 2002 Housing and Development Act local authorities can stipulate that 20 per cent of a new housing scheme be used for social and affordable housing.

Mr Farrelly described the Part V provisions of the Act as being of "critical importance" to achieving social integration and providing an adequate supply of housing for less well-off groups.

He said Department of the Environment figures estimated 43,684 people need housing, of which 43 per cent were single households, 38 per cent single with children and 18 per cent couples with or without children.

"Part V works because it utilises the significant abilities of the construction industry to deliver for the State," he said. "However, better co-ordination of Part V across local authorities would assist in delivery by giving more predictability."

Clúid is proposing a number of reforms, including:

• finding a way to eliminate or reduce some of the high service charges that often come with homes delivered under Part V;

• freedom for developers to work with housing associations from an early stage and present joint proposals;

• better co-ordination between local authorities, developers and housing associations.

The 176 units of social and affordable apartments are the result of a partnership between Dún Laoghaire/ Rathdown County Council, Clúid, Fleming Construction, Shannon Homes, Castlethorn Construction and Park Developments.