Initiative Ireland has published its third annual housing report, Housing 2020, and it highlights that there was an 18% increase in new housing delivered in Ireland during 2019 – a fourth consecutive year of growth; however, despite the increase, there was a 48% shortfall in supply overall.

The report also highlights how lower-income families remain locked out of housing, especially within the Greater Dublin Area, where households on the current average income of €65,000 were able to access less than 5% of new homes built.

Housing 2020 also indicates that COVID-19 is expected to impact up to 20% of housing delivery in Ireland, meaning supply is unlikely to increase in 2020, instead remaining at 20,000 units this year.

Key findings

• COVID-19 is expected to impact up to 20% of housing delivery, meaning supply is unlikely to increase in 2020, holding at 20,000 units.
• New home delivery increased 18% year on year but there was a 48% shortfall overall relative to demand and a material affordability mismatch with the market.
• New house prices were 30% higher than second-hand homes in 2019 on average, demonstrating the emergence of two distinct markets.
• Households on the average income in Greater Dublin Area, could access less than 5% of new built homes in 2019.
• While Ireland’s GDP has increased 50% over the past five years, rental pressure has resulted in a 300% increase in people living in emergency accommodation.

The Housing 2020 Report is available via https://www.initiativeireland.ie/media.

Padraig W Rushe, CEO, Initiative Ireland, said: “The data in Housing 2020 demonstrates strong improvements to housing supply but there is a shortfall overall, and a continued undersupply of affordable housing which continues to impact low- to middle-income families the hardest.”

“COVID-19 has, and will, impact supply this year and in 2021. At a time when most of us are confined to our homes, it is important to remember that there are more than 10,000 Irish families still living in emergency accommodation nationwide.

Some social housing developments reactivating

"While the short-term restrictions introduced by government were appropriate and prudent, it is promising to now see some social housing developments reactivating, albeit subject to essential social distancing and enhanced health and safety measures. 

“With a near 50% shortfall in housing supply last year and facing a similar shortfall next year, we need to maintain a balanced approach without compromising the health and safety of workers, and that seems to be the approach now coming into effect. Developers and finance providers have a role to play, to promote safe work practices that factor in COVID-19 restrictions.”

As an impact finance firm, Initiative Ireland enables its impact investor community to co-fund the construction of energy-efficient social and affordable housing projects nationwide. The company also advocates for societal and environmental impact, through its publications and investment strategies.

Smaller-scale housing development loans

To date the company’s community has financed €25 million in smaller-scale housing development loans, secured with a first legal charge over the underlying properties and aims to increase this to €100 million over the next 12 months.

While this model was designed to deliver greater societal impact, it may also offer a more prudent strategy for housing supply in light of COVID-19.

Sinead Byrne, COO, Initiative Ireland, said: "As an impact finance specialist, we have always been committed to delivering societal and environmental impact by funding smaller-scale social and affordable, energy-efficient housing developments nationwide. We do this for the impact.

“The smaller scale of these developments, however, does mean they are delivered by smaller teams, working often in more remote locations. In light of COVID-19, this model can help to reduce the immediate health risks for the men and women who are actively working on these developments up and down the country, as well as supporting jobs nationwide.

Investment opportunity

“As an investment opportunity, all loans are secured with a first legal charge over the properties and these loans show no correlation with the markets, making for a lower volatility, asset-backed opportunity.

"That is why we feel comfortable empowering smaller investors to lend alongside our institutional clients, committing as little as €500 per loan. That way we address the housing inequality for our communities while also promoting responsible financial inclusion within our impact investor community.”

The Housing 2020 Report is available via https://www.initiativeireland.ie/media.

Initiative Ireland specialises in property development finance for social and affordable housing, and is headquartered at NovaUCD, the Centre for New Ventures and Entrepreneurs at University College Dublin. It is supported by Enterprise Ireland as a high-potential startup.