Shannon Chamber has welcomed the publication of the Government’s Action Plan for Housing stating that the scarcity of any type of housing including affordable housing in any region is a threat to Ireland’s socio-economic development.
Reacting to the plan, Shannon Chamber’s chief executive Helen Downes said: “Addressing the current housing scarcity, nationally and in Co Clare, is a necessity. We understand that figures from Clare County Council show 3,100 people are on the social housing list in the county, with over 640 of those in the Shannon Municipal District. This strategy should address this issue for some of those people on the housing list. Investing in affordable and social housing will also save the State long-term social costs, and in the short term, will generate construction jobs.”
Now that the strategy is in the public domain, Ms Downes said that it is critically important for Local Authorities and Government to work closely together to implement this plan as quickly as possible and actively engage with other stakeholders in the property marketplace so that the anticipated tangible results are evident on the ground.
In parallel, Shannon Chamber is calling on the Government to give equal priority to the development of a rental strategy that meets the young mobile workforce’s growing demand for sustainable, affordable and attractive rental properties with ease of access to employment and cultural hubs.
“Overall, this national strategy is positive for Ireland and clearly indicates that steps are now being taken to address the housing issues that have impacted so many people’s lives heretofore,” Ms Downes concluded.