Sir, - The idea of a Housing Commission has been discussed for some time among groups and individuals working in the area of housing provision (July 2nd). As the crisis in public housing continues, we now hear requests from the opposition for the Government to set up such a commission. This is a timely idea and one which merits serious consideration by the Minister for Housing and Urban Renewal, Mr Robert Molloy.
Housing policy is at the difficult intersection of economic and social policy. The development of a policy on housing is not connected at present to the overall development of economic policy. Yet, as housing becomes more expensive, the housing crisis threatens to undermine the economic cohesion which has contributed to the development of this country's prosperity. The problem of supplying adequate and affordable housing is a serious challenge facing decision-makers today.
While social policy has been concerned with the accommodation needs of the poor, the fundamental principle driving housing policy is private home ownership. But now, the days of predominantly market-driven policy are over. The housing market is becoming much more complex, the housing needs of families are becoming much more diverse. That is why a housing commission would be useful. It could, and should, map the future for housing policy in this country and put forward an integrated plan for housing provision catering for demand into the next century.
It is time that housing policy came in from the cold and became part of the broad concerns of the social partnership that has contributed to the prosperity we currently enjoy.
Mr Molloy would be making a lasting contribution to bringing housing to the centre stage of policy-making with the establishment of a Housing Commission. This body, consisting of representatives from all interests in the policy area - state, economic, social and private - would have the brief of developing an integrated housing strategy for the coming years. Already there is much thinking being done around the issue of housing and the future development of housing policy. Harnessing that creativity is something which the Minister needs to do now. - Yours, etc., Dr Yvonne Galligan, The Policy Institute,
Trinity College,
Dublin 2.