Housing agencies on both sides of border should work collaboratively

Newry Mourne & Down Councillor Aoife Finnegan in a recent meeting of the Housing Council has said that there is great merit in both agencies in the north and south of the border working collaboratively to tackle some of the  challenges associated with the housing crisis.

The elected representative explained “Professor Paddy Gray a highly respected commentator on the issue of Housing in an article  on the issue said, ‘There are more possibilities and opportunities from both sides of the border.

'The current housing crisis is affecting the whole island of Ireland and will require joined up thinking and partnership to produce solutions so that all people have greater opportunities for accessing safe, secure and affordable homes’.

Cllr Finnegan added "Most could not argue with those sentiments and the collaboration would be on a wide range of issues related to housing such as material costs, good practice, housing and rental models and tackling homelessness”.

The Housing Council member concluded "The Housing crisis throughout Ireland is totally unacceptable and is causing hardship and stress throughout our communities. .

"A joined  up approach by both governments and cross border collaboration between all agencies involved with tackling and alleviating  the crisis, is essential”.

Newry & Armagh MP  Dáire Hughes added “There are nearly 2300  people on the Housing Waiting List in Newry and Armagh with 1684 of this list classed as in Housing stress”.

The MP described the figures as deeply concerning. “The housing figures are deeply concerning and unacceptable challenges where it comes to building more homes remain. These include delays in planning, land availability, waste water connections and building material costs.

"However chronic underfunding from consecutive British governments to the Executive continues to be a major problem.
The present Labour government must be held to account and the underfunding rectified”.