Housing land to be sought from religious orders

Religious orders will be asked to contribute land and vacant buildings by Minister for Housing Simon Coveney, to help tackle the housing shortage.

He said he wanted to meet them "in the next 10 days" for a "direct conversation" about what they could do to help.

The Minister was speaking after he opened a supported housing project in Dublin yesterday in a building once held by the Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd.

The building, on Sean McDermott Street in the city centre, was surrendered by the order to Dublin City Council on condition it be used by Sophia Housing to accommodate the most vulnerable homeless people.

Since December 17 couples and one individual, all of whom had slept rough, have moved in and are being supported to overcome addiction, trauma and mental health problems and work towards independent living.

Mr Coveney said it was a good example of the role the religious orders could fill in tackling the housing crisis.

Donate whole buildings

“We will call all of the religious orders together to an event specifically to talk about the contribution that they could make through the properties they either control or own, whether that’s land banks or individual properties that might be empty, so that we can have a direct conversation with them.

“In many cases orders want to actually donate whole buildings, in some cases very significant buildings, if they feel it’s going to be used for the right purposes. We need to work in partnership with them.”

He said he would be seeking contributions across the State, and not just in Dublin.

Sr Jean Quinn, founder of Sophia Housing and a member of the congregation of the Daughters of Wisdom, said she had spoken to Mr Coveney about the contribution religious orders could make.

Generosity

“What the Minister is asking is, ‘Are there other religious orders that would be willing to contribute to the overall housing crisis?’ What is needed is a conversation with someone like the Minister who can explain what he’s about and trying to do. I am sure he will experience generosity.”

There are about 150 religious orders, all autonomous, and 26 dioceses on the island. Neither the Conference of Religious in Ireland nor the Irish Bishops' Conference has commented on the Minister's call.

However, Fr Peter McVerry, Jesuit priest and founder of the Peter McVerry Trust, described it as “an excellent idea”.

“I am not sure how many of the religious orders would have suitable housing stock but many have no shortage of lands. I think many will want to respond generously. ”

He warned it could not be a substitute for local authorities using serviced lands they had to build housing. “Dublin City Council has more than enough serviced land to provide a huge number of housing units.”

He said he had met Mr Coveney who seemed “very genuine and committed to making a real difference” and said he was “happy to give the breathing space to begin to tackle this”.

A spokeswoman said the Diocese of Dublin was “actively engaging” with Dublin City Council on the provision of land and a building for social housing and homeless services.