The Housing Commission, of which I served as a member, was conceived with clear remits. Key among these were assessing the “long-term housing policy post 2030” and analysing “ways to augment the policy modifications highlighted in the Housing for All and accompanying government schemes”.
The concluding report served as a guiding document for the government, promising to significantly alleviate the housing crisis eventually, given full implementation. The endorsed suggestions projected a long-term vision while also spotlighting some immediate responses to build momentum and behind which urgency must be impelled. In my judgment, it is crucial to take action on its revelations without delay.
A vital suggestion, that was agreed upon unanimously and born from a consensus amongst key participants about the lack of synchronised thinking and action in housing policy creation and execution, was the formation of an authorised group to handle housing supply barriers in Ireland. This committee, dubbed the Housing Delivery Oversight Executive, would exist for a five-year period and would possess the authority to eradicate obstructions that hinder the timely creation of new homes.
Though this idea is radical, it’s not novel. Let’s recall 2020, when the National Public Health Emergency Team was tasked with navigating the country through the Covid-19 predicament, and legislative and regulatory actions that would previously have been unimaginable were enacted.
Thus, the pandemic was a crisis that we managed. Similarly, the housing crisis is an emergency that necessitates an equal level of urgency.
In contrast to our apparent contentment with minor adjustments to our existing planning system that has severely disappointed the nation in previous years, our closest neighbour appears on the brink of a housing reformation. Significantly unlike the approach we’ve taken, the new British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has demonstrated leadership and resolve by declaring his intent to dramatically overhaul the UK planning system and fight against nimbyism (Not in my backyard). He proudly identifies himself as a yimby (Yes, in my backyard).
Regardless of the Commission’s report being a long-term solution, it’s the current housing emergency that demands direct and urgent action. What’s concerning is the minimal, if any, evidence of that currently. Each passing day is a lost opportunity.
The UK’s planning system is unique within Europe due to two primary factors. First, it provides numerous chances for critics to appeal and pursue judicial reviews of decisions made by local planning authorities. Second, it often allows individual rights to overrule the collective benefit, hindering the execution of national and regional housing policies. Sadly, those who already own homes frequently block new housing provisions for those without.
Kier Starmer has laid out an ambitious plan to erect 1.5 million homes throughout Britain during his inaugural term. With unparalleled political audacity, he has pledged to make alterations that his predecessors failed to implement, fundamentally changing the UK’s planning laws to expedite housing rather than stalling it. Stating that declining to do so would inevitably make home ownership a privilege for the wealthy few.
We desperately need this level of resolve from every political party. Our present approach is letting down young people who reside with their parents or pay exorbitant rent for unfit accommodations, their dreams of owning a house fading away.
As we are all aware, there’s a shortfall of roughly 250,000 homes in our country, which worsens as housing development lags behind the increasing demand and population growth. The absence of this deficit from the Economic and Social Research Institute’s recent report is baffling.
The actual annual demand is approximately 60,000. Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien is anticipated to unveil heightened housing goals in September to steadily eliminate this shortfall. Although this acknowledgement of the actual demand is belated, it would be a positive step. If these goals overlook the realities disregarded by the ESRI in their report, it could be catastrophic for our economy and societal structure.
If the current frameworks have been ineffective so far, we can’t persist with the same systems and expect them to suddenly produce the amount of housing now needed.
It’s commonly understood that the key driver of issues within our residential framework, such as inflated rent costs and unstable tenancies, would be the availability of adequate property provision. Consequently, the urgent attention should be given to those Housing Commission’s proposals that chart out a path towards a significant surge in housing supply, although all of their suggestions warrant deliberation.
Emphasising the necessity for bold alterations, I call upon the Minister and the governing authorities to leverage their confidence and steadfastness to acknowledge the need and meet the heightened objectives. It is crucial to pledge commitment towards executing the substantial suggestions given by the Housing Commission, including the immediate inception of the Housing Delivery Oversight Executive without any more stalling.
We desperately require innovative methodologies to facilitate the construction of a larger quantity of homes. Persisting with the current system and setup, expecting them to miraculously begin to yield the quantity of properties that are presently demanded, is infeasible. Sweeping reforms are essential to rectify our unperforming planning system, to ensure infrastructure organisation and execution, and to ascertain that appropriate financial methods are arranged both for infrastructure and for the production of an adequate amount of residences to address the shortfall and cater to the yearly requirements.
Should the government avoid setting up the new entity as proposed by the Housing Commission, and fail to clearly define the implementation process of the other recommendations for housing demand, supply, and delivery, then the situation will mirror past actions.
And thus, as a result, the housing predicament will persist.
Sincerely, Michael O’Flynn, a real estate developer.