10th December 2001

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Sinn Fein backs call for a National Housing Authority

Sinn Fein spokesperson on Housing Cllr. Seán Crowe has slammed the government for failing to address the housing crisis and abandoning thousands of families in sub standard accommodation. He backed calls from the National Economic and Social Forum calling for a National Housing Authority to be established. Cllr Crowe said:

``It is outrageous that in the midst of a housing crisis local authority house completions last year were lower than in previous years.

``In their report, the NESF highlighted what people throughout this country already knew - that this government have failed to tackle the shortage of local authority and social housing and have failed to meet their commitments under the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness.

``We support calls for the setting up of a National Housing Authority to maximise the efforts of local authorities throughout the island, by focusing funding and expertise where housing need is greatest.

``Such a body should co-ordinate public, private, co-operative and shared ownership schemes while also providing resources and direction for research and education into the best solutions possible for tackling existing policy failures in housing supply.''

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