Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government (2016) Action Plan for Housing ?

/in /by

Rebuilding Ireland, Dublin
Housing Agency, (2015), National Statement of Housing Supply and Demand 2014 and Outlook for 2015-17, Dublin

Housing Agency, (2016), Housing for Older People ? Thinking Ahead, Dublin
(Research Report by Am?rach Research, Ronan Lyons, Lorcan Sirr and Innovation Delivery, Commissioned by the Ireland Smart Ageing Exchange & the Housing Agency)

Some useful data and information sources:
Central Statistics Office
Residential Tenancies Board (RTB)
Property Price Register
Banking and Payments Federation, Ireland
Housing Agency
Society of Chartered Surveyors
Daft.ie
MyHome.ie

1. Introduction

? Housing is very much in the news again

? It was a contributor to the banking crash in 2008 as prices rose, borrowers overextended themselves and banks over-lent

? It was (and is still ?) an important and challenging public policy issue as the level of mortgage arrears and negative equity increased

? Now it?s back in the news due to

o Rising prices

? Affordability

o Rising rents

o A supply shortage

o A growing problem of homelessness
2. Economic and Social Dimension

? Housing policy/market has both economic and social dimensions
o Economic
? important sector in terms of jobs
? can be important source of taxation for government
? need for supporting environmental infrastructure => water, waste, transport => cost to state
? developer contributions
? residential prices (purchase and rent) impact wage levels and in turn competitiveness
? use of available funds
? supply side ? developers, builders
? demand side ? buyers, investors
? part of the wider investment market (e.g. buy-to-let)
? often a pension asset
? opportunity for significant capital gain
? very significant expenditure by individuals
? long term commitment if purchasing
? issue of affordability
? capital
? current

o Social