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Novas was disappointed by a recent article in the Limerick Post, which documented this week’s Adare-Rathkeale municipal district meeting in which local councillors debased regional Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) for their acquisition of social housing throughout Co. Limerick.

While Novas was not mentioned in the exchange we feel it is important to respond to the issue, as it devalues the vital work of all Approved Housing Bodies who are engaged in acquisition programmes in a response to the national homeless crisis.

In the first instance it is important to clarify some facts. During the meeting AHBs were referred to as ‘profit making’ and ‘parasites’ who were ‘doubling up’ on the work of the Local Authority. All ABHs, including Novas, are non-profit. We support low-income households to secure long-term housing, that they would otherwise be unable to access. All properties are purchased in collaboration with Limerick City and County Council. One of the reasons that AHBs purchase social housing properties, which historically would have been procured by local authorities, is because the latter does not have access to certain funding streams that AHBs do. This enables approved bodies to provide housing to people on long waiting lists throughout the country. This is why it is vital that approved bodies and local authorities work in partnership. Moreover, AHBs often have the social care skills to provide packages of support to households to ensure successful tenancies. Novas has an excellent working relationship with the local authority in Limerick and all purchasing programmes by the organisation are approved in advance by the council, which result in the vast majority of tenancies being successful.

The article also relayed comments that AHBs often charge higher rents than the local authority. This is absolutely untrue. Novas charge rents based on Limerick City and County Council’s differential rent scheme.

The comments made by certain Councillors not only devalued the work of ABHs but also incite distrust and suspicion of social housing tenants, with the suggestion that by living in proximity to home owners and those who are private-renting they ‘will bring nothing but hardship and dispair to hard working families.’ Recent research conducted by Cluid highlights the stimatisation felt by social housing tenants and the impact this has on their well-being. Comments made by our public representatives, the public representative of people living in social housing, further highlights the alienation and stigmatisation experienced by people living in social housing.

Novas was most surprised by the views of local Fine Gael Councillors who’s comments on the issue are totally contrary to Rebuilding Ireland, a visionary and ambitious strategy developed and published by government to ending long-term homelessness in Ireland. It highlights the vital contribution AHBs have to ending the crisis.

The full newspaper article can be read here: http://www.limerickpost.ie/2017/04/13/voluntary-housing-agencies-limerick-condemned-parasites/