Multi-unit developments (MUDs) are estates where an owners’ management company, or OMC for short, is responsible for maintaining shared facilities such as gardens, amenity spaces, halls, corridors, and parking. These managed estates are often apartment buildings or duplexes, but they can also be townhouses or stand-alone houses that share common facilities. These communities rely on OMCs for them to be successful and sustainable.

With the increasing number of apartments, MUDs, and OMCs across the country, The Housing Agency is holding evening information meetings for stakeholders, including residents, owners, and directors of OMCs.

The meetings will cover:

• Challenges faced by OMCs & managed estates
• Roles and responsibilities
• Resources available
   

Events will be held at:

Clayton Hotel, Sligo
Tuesday, 25 October

Chartered Accountants Ireland, Dublin 2
Tuesday, 8 November

Boyne Valley Hotel & Country Club, Drogheda
Tuesday, 15 November

Glenroyal Hotel & Leisure Club, Maynooth
Tuesday, 22 November

Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone
Monday, 28 November

Attendance is free of charge, but registration is required.

Please register by clicking on your preferred location above, through Eventbrite, or by email to MUD@housingagency.ie.

Evening Programme

6:45pm     Registration (tea/coffee provided)
7pm          Presentation from the Housing Agency
7:30pm     Open forum
8:30pm     Closes

Information and Resources on OMCs and MUDs

Previous events in the series took place in:

• Crowne Plaza Hotel, Blanchardstown Town Centre, Dublin | Wednesday 15 January 2020
• Red Cow Moran Hotel, Dublin | Wednesday 29 January 2020
• Clayton Hotel Dublin Airport | Wednesday 5 February 2020
• Lord Bagenal, Leighlinbridge, Carlow | Wednesday 12 February 2020
• Clayton Hotel Silver Springs, Cork | Wednesday 19 February 2020
• Castletroy Park Hotel, Limerick | Wednesday 26 February 2020
• Talbot Hotel, Stillorgan, Dublin | Wednesday 4 March 2020

The Housing Agency Housing Insight Series aims to disseminate good practice in housing and innovative solutions among housing practitioners in Ireland. Issues are published quarterly and provide a case study of effective, practical implementation of a piece of housing policy or practice. The resulting short paper is intended to provide a knowledge base and provide ideas to others in the sector, building the overall capacity of the sector. The Housing Agency sources case-studies from our staff, The Housing Agency panels, housing practitioners and stakeholders. This second issue of the Housing Insights Series was published in September 2022 on the topic of Developing a Tenant Engagement Culture and Structure: The Case of Circle VHA.

This Housing Agency Policy Insights Paper describes how Circle VHA has collaborated with tenants to build a tenant engagement culture and structure. It demonstrates the benefits that can be gained – both for tenants and social housing providers – from a structural approach that embeds tenant engagement policy and practice within an organisation’s strategic vision. With the publication in 2022 by the Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority (AHBRA) of new standards requiring AHBs to actively seek input from tenants and provide opportunities for engagement on service provision, the aim of this case study is to provide information to other social housing providers developing tenant engagement structures.

You can access and read the full report here

The Housing Agency Housing Insight Series aims to disseminate good practice in housing and innovative solutions among housing practitioners in Ireland. Issues are published quarterly and provide a case study of effective, practical implementation of a piece of housing policy or practice. The resulting short paper is intended to provide a knowledge base and provide ideas to others in the sector, building the overall capacity of the sector. The Housing Agency sources case-studies from our staff, The Housing Agency panels, housing practitioners and stakeholders. This second issue of the Housing Insights Series was published in September 2022 on the topic of Developing a Tenant Engagement Culture and Structure: The Case of Circle VHA.

This Housing Agency Policy Insights Paper describes how Circle VHA has collaborated with tenants to build a tenant engagement culture and structure. It demonstrates the benefits that can be gained – both for tenants and social housing providers – from a structural approach that embeds tenant engagement policy and practice within an organisation’s strategic vision. With the publication in 2022 by the Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority (AHBRA) of new standards requiring AHBs to actively seek input from tenants and provide opportunities for engagement on service provision, the aim of this case study is to provide information to other social housing providers developing tenant engagement structures.

You can access and read the full report here

The Housing Agency hosted a briefing session on the morning of the 12th of July to discuss the expansion of the Repair and Leases Scheme.

The Repair and Lease scheme has been expanded on a pilot basis to include the following:

• vacant commercial units;
• vacant units associated with a commercial unit (e.g. over the shop);
• vacant institutional buildings;
• unfinished developments which have been vacant for a significant period of time.

Aoife Joyce from DHLGH discussed the objectives, requirements and rationale behind the expansion.

Claire Feeney from The Housing Agency discussed the operation of the scheme to include The Housing Agency’s role.

Paul Johnston from Waterford City and County Council provided an overview of their Repair and Lease activity and the benefits of the expansion.

For further information on the scheme please contact leasing@housingagency.ie

The Housing Agency’s Statement of Strategy, 2022-2024 was launched yesterday by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD.

The Statement of Strategy outlines how more affordable housing, increasing the supply of social and private homes and addressing social inclusion issues such as homelessness and ageing will be the priorities for the work of The Housing Agency over the next three years.

The Statement of Strategy frames the work of The Housing Agency under three broad themes:

1. Being a centre for housing knowledge;
2. Bridging housing supply and demand; and
3. Building capacity for housing

It outlines how, over the coming years, The Housing Agency will use research, informed policy insights and data to work to achieve a housing system that meets the housing needs of our nation and promotes viable, sustainable communities.

The Housing Agency’s Strategic Plan 2022-2024 has been framed in the context of supporting Housing for All, the Government’s housing plan for Ireland and key trends in the housing system including:

• Diverse and changing housing needs for people living in Ireland.
• Long-term government policy and strategic planning for the Irish housing system.
• A continuing focus on building inclusive, sustainable communities.

The Housing Agency’s Statement of Strategy, 2022-2024 can be read HERE 

An executive summary of the Statement of Strategy can be read HERE 

A list of actions The Housing Agency will provide input under Housing for All can be read HERE 

A recording of the session can be found HERE

The slides of the session can be found HERE

The Housing Agency’s Statement of Strategy, 2022-2024 was launched on the 27th of January 2022 by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD.

The Statement of Strategy outlines how more affordable housing, increasing the supply of social and private homes and addressing social inclusion issues such as homelessness and ageing will be the priorities for the work of The Housing Agency over the next three years.

The Statement of Strategy frames the work of The Housing Agency under three broad themes:

1. Being a centre for housing knowledge;
2. Bridging housing supply and demand; and
3. Building capacity for housing.

It outlines how, over the coming years, The Housing Agency will use research, informed policy insights and data to work to achieve a housing system that meets the housing needs of our nation and promotes viable, sustainable communities.

The Housing Agency’s Strategic Plan 2022-2024 has been framed in the context of supporting Housing for All, the Government’s housing plan for Ireland and key trends in the housing system including:

• Diverse and changing housing needs for people living in Ireland.
• Long-term government policy and strategic planning for the Irish housing system.
• A continuing focus on building inclusive, sustainable communities.

The Housing Agency’s Statement of Strategy, 2022-2024 can be read HERE 

An executive summary of the Statement of Strategy can be read HERE 

A list of actions The Housing Agency will provide input under Housing for All can be read HERE 

Press Statement

The Housing Agency to support the enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Scheme.

Tuesday, 30th November: The Housing Agency will play a central role in assisting homeowners and local authorities as part of the enhanced Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme announced by Minister Darragh O’Brien today.

As part of the measures introduced to improve the delivery of the scheme, and once a home has met the damage threshold for entry to the scheme, the Housing Agency will assist homeowners by employing engineers to undertake the testing and assessment of their homes. This will ease the financial burden for homeowners in accessing the scheme. The Housing Agency will also be supporting local authorities in their assessment and processing of applications under the scheme.

The involvement of the Housing Agency will ensure the most appropriate remediation option is recommended for each home. The Agency’s role should also help to improve the current lead-in time on the approval of grants and ultimately speed up the remediation of affected homes.

Bob Jordan, Chief Executive Officer of The Housing Agency, said:

“The Housing Agency is committed to supporting people living in homes affected by defective concrete blocks by making it as easy as possible for homeowners to access the scheme. Our involvement in the assessment and testing of homes will ensure a simplified, efficient, and cost-effective process for both homeowners and local authorities.”

The Housing Agency has built up technical expertise and knowledge through its work in implementing the Pyrite Remediation Scheme since 2014. The Housing Agency has also gained a strong understanding of the difficulties faced by homeowners by actively participating in the Working Group on the Defective Concrete Blocks Scheme.

For media queries contact Roslyn Molloy on mobile 086 0893157, communications@housingagency.ie

About The Housing Agency

The Housing Agency is a Government body working with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, local authorities and approved housing bodies in the delivery of housing and housing services.

Our mission is to promote the supply of housing to meet current and future needs and demand by being a centre of expert knowledge on housing, supporting housing policy development and implementing effective housing programmes in collaboration with key stakeholders.

For more information visit www.housingagency.ie or follow The Housing Agency on Twitter and LinkedIn.

The Government’s new housing strategy commits to increasing the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 homes per year over the next decade and providing for an optimal mix of social, affordable, and private housing for sale and rent.

Housing for All: A New Housing Plan for Ireland will be the focus of The Housing Agency's Housing Conference 2021, which will take place online from Monday 8 to Friday 12 November.

Through daily webinars, Housing Conference 2021 will provide an overview of the aims and objectives of Housing for All while facilitating in-depth discussion on each of the four pathways set out in the plan.

Participation in each webinar is free, but advance registration is required. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Download the Housing Conference 2021 Agenda

To register for each webinar please click one of the links below:

All times above are Irish Standard Time

Please note that these sessions will be recorded for future use.

The Housing Agency has today welcomed the announcement of significant investment in housing in Ireland, as set out in Budget 2022.

The €4 billion allocated today shows the Government’s commitment to the ambitious targets outlined in Housing for All and will go towards supporting the housing needs of almost 31,000 additional households in 2022. A total of 11,820 new social homes will be delivered through build, acquisition and leasing programmes – 9,000 of these will be new builds, to be delivered as part of a €2.6 billion capital funding programme.

Welcoming today’s announcement, The Housing Agency CEO Bob Jordan said:

“Budget 2022 represents the first step in delivering on the Government’s housing objectives, as set out in Housing for All.

“The Housing Agency’s vision is to promote sustainable homes and communities. Through making long-term investments in affordable high-quality homes for purchase or rent, this Budget represents a commitment to that vision.

“It is critical that we increase our housing supply to at least 33,000 homes per annum. The Housing Agency will play a key role in increasing supply, with methods to address vacant homes to the fore. We will manage the Croí Cónaithe Fund, which will support affordable apartments in urban areas. With €50 million being provided to establish the Fund in 2022, it will deliver medium to high density housing at a lower cost, for apartment living in blocks of four storeys or more. The Agency will also establish a central advisory service to assist Local Authorities with a compulsory purchase order programme for purchase of vacant buildings for the provision of social and affordable homes.

“The Housing Agency will continue to advise and support Government on housing affordability and welcomes the allocation of €175 million to deliver 4,130 homes for affordable purchase or rental in 2022. We look forward to continuing our management and administration of the Cost Rental Scheme, providing affordable and secure homes to rent through approved housing bodies. The continuation of the Help to Buy scheme, as well as new affordable purchase initiatives such as the First Home Scheme coming on board, will have a significant impact in making homes more affordable."

Mr Jordan added: “Sustainable communities are ones that support the complete life-cycle – meeting our needs as we grow, and having the facilities and supports in place to assist us if and when we need them. We hope that the measures outlined in Budget 2022 will lead to more people living in sustainable cities, towns and villages across Ireland.”

Please note that The Housing Agency is no longer accepting submissions for the Training Needs Analysis Questionnaire.

The Housing Agency is committed to delivering high-quality training to the Irish housing sector. Working with our partners in the Housing Training Network, we provide a coordinated approach to delivering training opportunities for housing practitioners, ranging from information webinars to practice-based workshops, one- and two-day training sessions, and accredited education courses.

We now need your help to plan our training programme for the period 2022-2023 and are asking you to complete a Training Needs Analysis questionnaire.

The Housing Agency has conducted periodic Training Needs Analyses (TNAs) of the Irish housing sector, in April 2016, April 2018, and February 2020. These have supported the development of a wide array of training related initiatives and events, including the creation of the Housing Training Network, the development of the housingtraining.ie website, the introduction of the Housing Education Bursary Scheme, and the delivery of a range of lectures, webinars, workshops, and training sessions.   

Responses to this 2021 Training Needs Analysis will be shared with our partners in the Housing Training Network – the IPA, ICSH, LGMA, RTB and CIH. This will ensure the delivery of quality training outcomes for housing practitioners. Your answers to this TNA will help the delivery and further development of a training offering that fulfils the changing needs of the Irish housing sector. Please also forward to colleagues you think it would be relevant to. 

We would like to thank you for your time in completing this questionnaire. 

The questionnaire should take approximately 10 minutes to complete, and is available at the following link: https://survey.zohopublic.eu/zs/NhB8qf. 

For further information about The Housing Agency's training offerings, please contact training@housingagency.ie. For more information about the Housing Training Network, please visit housingtraining.ie.