Virtual Event: Agenda 2030 & Affordable Housing with the Land Development Agency and the Housing Agency

 

Date / Fecha	Location / Lugar
28th January 2021	Online
16:30 – 18:00 Dublin GMT (17:30 – 19:00 Madrid CET)	Platform: TBC

In September 2015, world leaders adopted a set of global goals to eradicate poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all. The Agenda 2030 and the impact of the pandemic are both likely to influence our cities and homes in the future.

Join us for the first SIBN virtual event of 2021 in partnership with the Land Development Agency and the Housing Agency. The discussion, chaired by SIBN Vice President, Nuria Luguera, will explore the inherent challenges in housing provision in both Ireland and Spain.

 

The event will be opened by the Ambassador of Ireland to Spain, Síle Maguire. John O’Connor, CEO at the Housing Agency, will present the case for an Irish Cost Rental model, while John Coleman, CEO at the Land Development Agency, will focus on the role of the LDA as a commercial State-sponsored body tasked to end the boom-and-bust cycle in housing. There will be an opportunity for Q&A for all attendees, managed by SIBN Secretary Brendan Rowan.

-UPDATE-

Last week SIBN held the first virtual event of 2021 in collaboration with the Housing Agency and the Land Development Agency. Discussions on rethinking governments’ role and future partnerships with private stakeholders to deliver housing at an affordable price were very engaging. The event was full of interesting insights about the future of housing in Ireland and Spain and was very well attended with a lively interactive Q&A session.

The key points shared by John O’Connor and John Coleman were:

1. Coordination of planning, land management, site development, and mobilisation of skills, finance and other resources takes time. A housing development may take as long as three years, assuming the land is zoned and utilities are put in place.
2. The cost rental model will deliver stable rents, that are affordable for a broad range of people on moderate incomes, with rents of between 15% to 25% below the market rate.
3. Affordable housing should be planned, designed and built to minimise its environmental impact, while reducing carbon emissions.
4. There is a need to establish a long-term strategy for the financing and delivery of infrastructure. This will make a significant contribution by ensuring the continued supply of serviced land.

Thanks to all attendees and organisers for such an interesting debate!

You can access the recording of the session here: https://youtu.be/oBIYKL8auwU