Call for not-for-profit housing body to tackle Leitrim housing needs

A new community-led housing body could help identify land, restore vacant properties and deliver social housing in North Leitrim, councillors heard.

Calls have been made for the establishment of a community-led, not-for-profit housing body in North Leitrim to help deliver social housing, tackle dereliction and encourage a more proactive community approach.

Cllr Eddie Mitchell made the call at July’s meeting of Manorhamilton Municipal District, asking that the MD support a small group of local people with relevant experience and an interest in community housing to explore establishing a community-led, not-for-profit housing body in North Leitrim.

“The purpose of the body would be to help people meet local housing need by identifying suitable land, vacant or derelict properties and opportunities for small-scale community housing in towns and villages,” Cllr Mitchell’s motion stated.

“I further ask that the Municipal District seeks practical assistance from Leitrim County Council on the legal structure, governance, funding options and steps required,” the motion concluded.

“We’ve had good housing bodies in the past,” said Cllr Mitchell. “My understanding is that a lot of the social housing that’s being built in the county is being built by the Council and I think the community needs to play a part as well,” he added.

Cluainín Voluntary Housing Association, which was established in Manorhamilton in 2000, was highlighted and commended for its work across the county.

“I’d like to commend Cluainín Housing for the work they’ve done over the years. They provided housing in Kinlough, Manorhamilton and assisted greatly in Drumkeeran. They were one of the first to do anything like it,” commented Cllr Mary Bohan.

She said she would support any group willing to take on such a project but noted that it is “a huge undertaking” because of the regulations involved and the need to deal with various agencies. “It’s a huge commitment and responsibility.”

Cllr Mitchell’s motion received further support, with Cllr James Gilmartin saying, “The benefits of something like this going forward would be commended.”

“In order for anything like this to be successful, having the Council at your back is what makes it possible,” added Cllr Mitchell.

While the motion received broad support, Cllr Felim Gurn highlighted potential challenges, noting that it would be a major undertaking for volunteers and that recruiting people willing to take on the responsibility could prove difficult.

“We have all these housing issues. There are people who need social housing and there are people that are homeless. We have to try and do something, we can’t leave it to the Council,” commented Cllr Mitchell.

In its response, Leitrim County Council said it welcomes and supports initiatives that seek to address local housing needs and will engage with any organisation or community group interested in exploring opportunities to provide social and affordable housing. The Council added that it can provide information on relevant housing programmes and funding options, subject to eligibility and programme requirements.

The response noted that the main agency a voluntary group would need to work with is the Irish Council for Social Housing (ICSH), the national representative body for Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) in Ireland.

The ICSH provides guidance and support to groups interested in establishing an Approved Housing Body and can advise on the requirements involved in becoming an AHB.

“Their role includes assisting organisations with the development of appropriate governance structures, understanding regulatory and compliance obligations, and building organisational capacity to ensure that bodies are established and managed in accordance with best practice within the social housing sector,” the response added.

For that reason, any group considering the establishment of a community-led, not-for-profit housing body would be encouraged to engage directly with the ICSH, as it is best placed to provide specialist advice and practical support throughout the process of establishing and developing an Approved Housing Body.

The response also noted that the Housing Agency’s Built Environment Directorate, a non-commercial State agency, has a team of technical professionals.

Through its architects, engineers, quantity surveyors and project managers, the Housing Agency can provide technical assistance and support to Approved Housing Bodies in the delivery of housing construction and refurbishment projects.

“Leitrim County Council will continue to work with community groups and housing providers to support the development of sustainable housing solutions that meet identified local housing needs,” the response concluded.