Sinn Féin: Leadership Across Ireland. General

Transcription

1 Sinn Féin: Leadership Across Ireland General Leadership Across Ireland places significant emphasis on Sinn Féin s record of achievement in the Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly over the past four years. It also highlights specific actions that have been delivered in the Agriculture and Rural Development, Regional Development and Education portfolios. Economic recovery is at the heart of the manifesto and it argues that this will only be possible with a radical reshaping of how government, the private and the public sectors have traditionally operated. There are a number of revenue-raising proposals suggested in the document, two of which would impact on the housing sector: Enabling the Northern Ireland Housing Executive to borrow 250million a year from the European Investment Bank and other sources to fund social housing; and Implementing the Green New Deal proposals. One of the suggested job creation measures is the establishment of a 400million Sustainable Economic Development Bond to be provided by the four main banks ( 25million from each over the four-year budget). This would be used to fund job creation strategies. Leadership Across Ireland has a strong focus on Irish unity; equality and rights; Irish language, culture, arts and leisure; and the establishment of a truth-recovery process. There are also specific commitments in relation to each of the Departmental portfolios - with a stated opposition to the introduction of student fees - and detailed proposals on job creation which is linked to growing indigenous business, investment in research and development and promoting innovation. Two of the proposals suggested within the OFMdFM portfolio would have implications for housing. One is the commitment to ensure that former military sites are gifted to the Executive to be used for public benefit, which could include the development of social housing, or sold to generate additional receipts over the four-year budget. The

2 other is the assurance of 20million for the Social Protection Fund for 2011/12 to help support those individuals and households most affected by the welfare reform changes and support for at least 20million to be provided for this fund in the remaining three years of this budget. In relation to local government, the manifesto states that Sinn Féin would support a third-party right of appeal against planning decisions under the new planning reform measures. There is also a firm commitment to the Green New Deal as an environmental measure and the provision of adequate resources for the proposals. Social Development and Housing In a separate Social Development and Housing paper, Sinn Féin reiterate their commitment to the central role of the State in housing provisions and respecting, protecting and promoting housing and social rights. It is fair to say that the proposals outlined with regard to social development and housing are underpinned by a strong ideological framework, but they are also posited as realistic and deliverable. Leadership Across Ireland commits to ensuring that social employment and training clauses for the long-term unemployed and apprentices are built into all regeneration contracts. It also states categorically that Sinn Féin will oppose the cuts resulting from the welfare reform agenda. The manifesto proposes to establish targets and timetables for the reduction of fuel poverty which is presented as a social development measure rather than being specific to housing. The foundation for the manifesto s housing proposals is that decent, accessible housing with reasonable rent and rates levels should be available to everyone. There is a strong focus on the private rented sector and the need for a mandatory registration scheme and a deposit retention scheme to protect tenants. An effective mortgage relief scheme is proposed which would help homeowners at risk of losing their homes. Tackling void properties in the private sector is another key priority. In relation to social housing, the manifesto emphatically states that maintenance schemes would be protected from the cuts to the housing budget. There is also a proposal to change the Common Selection Scheme to end discrimination against people in areas of high demand. The manifesto also suggests that the allocation of

3 points with regard to the waiting list for social housing should be reviewed to prioritise people with disabilities who require accessible housing. Leadership Across Ireland proposes that the status of housing associations would be reviewed, although there is no further detail within the manifesto to suggest what form that review might take or how the status of associations in housing delivery might change. The final housing commitment is to tackle dereliction in town and city centres, linking housing to the regeneration aspect of the social development portfolio and perhaps suggesting a more integrated approach to regeneration.

4 Implications Leadership Across Ireland indicates that a key priority for Sinn Féin would be regulation of the private rented sector as well as reviewing the status of housing associations and the way social housing is allocated. There is no reference in the manifesto to the ongoing review of the Northern Ireland Housing Executive or stated position on the suggestion that the strategic and landlord roles of the Housing Executive should be separated and an independent regulator established. The Sinn Féin manifesto does however see a role for the Housing Executive in accessing private finance to fund social housing needs. The idea of a Sustainable Economic Development Bond put forward in the manifesto suggests a willingness to use bond finance and seek alternative funding models which could have implications for how housing is financed in the future. This proposal organisations pooling resources to create a fund for social/public policy purposes could also form the basis of a national housing bond. Other than using the Housing Executive to access private finance there is little mention of housing in an economic context with no reference to the role that housing can play in facilitating economic growth or improving health, educational attainment and employment outcomes. The manifesto focuses instead on very specific commitments to protect maintenance schemes, to introduce a mortgage relief scheme, to tackle void properties within the overarching framework of proving good-quality housing at affordable rent and rates levels for all.

5 For more information on CIH s Housing Pact and our work during the election period and beyond, please contact Jennifer Donald, CIH Northern Ireland s Policy and Public Affairs Officer.