Show Notes
Welcome to Housing Insights, the podcast that cuts through the complexity of housing in Ireland.
More from Housing Insights
This episode of Housing Insights features hosts David Silke sits down in conversation with Martin Whelan, CEO of The Housing Agency. The discussion covers Whelan's professional background across the construction sector, NAMA, and the NTMA, alongside a strategic examination of Ireland's housing landscape, policy implementation, and long-term sector transformation.
About 1 in 10 Irish households live in social housing, which provides below-market rental homes based on a tenant's ability to pay. Host David Silke sits down with Patrick McCarthy (Head of Local Authority and AHB Services, Housing Agency) to unpack the social housing process in Ireland. The episode covers the difference between social housing and cost rental, eligibility criteria, the application process, Choice-Based Lettings (CBL), the differential rent system, and tenant responsibilities.
How does Housing First transform lives and break the cycle of entrenched homelessness? Host Roslyn Molloy introduces Rob Lowth (National Director of Housing First, The Housing Agency) and Housing First tenant John for a powerful conversation. Drawing from his lived experience of youth homelessness, addiction, and incarceration, John shares his journey to securing a permanent home, highlighting the vital role of wrap-around support services, personal purpose, and compassionate frontline workers.
With nearly a quarter of a million Irish households living in apartments, multi-unit developments (MUDs) like apartments play an increasingly vital role in Ireland’s housing system. Host Roslyn Molloy sits down with David Rouse and Lisa Marie Sheehy from The Housing Agency’s MUDs team to explain how MUDs and apartments are managed. The conversation explores the mechanics of owners' management companies (OMCs), service charges, sinking funds, legacy construction defects, supports available, and the potential shape of MUDs regulation in Ireland in the future.
How do we meet Ireland’s housing needs while protecting our natural environment? Host Roslyn Molloy sits down with Susan Vickers (Clúid Housing) and Haley Curran (The Housing Agency) to discuss integrating biodiversity into housing developments. The episode highlights Clúid’s Landscaping and Biodiversity Guide and a resident-led project in Ballygraigue Court, Co. Tipperary, showing how nature-based solutions and community co-design enhance local environments and resident well-being.