Respond welcomes continued support for Approved Housing Bodies in Budget 2024

The AHB is on track to have 4,300 homes in construction in the next year

Respond, Ireland’s largest construction led Approved Housing Body and services provider, said today that they welcomed the Government’s continued support for Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) like Respond to continue to deliver much needed social and cost rental homes. Respond currently has 1,396 social and cost rental homes in construction.

Niamh Randall, Spokesperson for Respond, welcomed today’s announcements and important commitments to the work of Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs).

“We welcome the Government commitment to €1.86bn support the delivery of social homes by local authorities and Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) under the Capital Advanced Leasing Facility (CALF) and the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) budgets. In addition, the increase in the Housing Finance Agency budget from €10bn to €12bn is also to be welcomed to support the delivery of Cost Rental and social housing homes by Approved Housing Bodies.”

“Delivering much needed social and Cost Rental homes as quickly as possible is essential to help alleviate some of pressures and negative impacts of the housing and homeless crisis on families, children and individuals. With over 40 years of experience in the housing sector, Respond understands the crucial role that initiatives like CALF and CREL play in making social and Cost Rental housing both accessible and affordable. These enhancements are a positive move towards making these homes more viable in Ireland. Respond are on an ambitious path to triple the number of social and cost rental homes under construction adding 3,400 more homes in the coming months. Our €2bn construction programme is designed to provide secure, affordable homes to thousands of families and individuals in need of housing nationwide.”

“We strongly urge the Government to continue its vital support for Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) like Respond. Ongoing monitoring of these funding schemes is required to ensure any changes required can be made quickly to ensure project viability so homes can be delivered for those who need them. With sustained –Government support and commitment, we can further accelerate our Home Building Programme, which currently has 1,396 social and Cost Rental homes in construction. In partnership with Local Authorities and leading developers, we have the potential to deliver 700 new homes this year alone, and a further 900 by the end of 2024.”

Respond work in partnership with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Local Authorities, the Housing Finance Agency and The Housing Agency for families and individuals in need of social and cost rental homes.