BRAVERY NEEDED TO SOLVE HOUSING CRISIS

Strong, agile leadership is the key to solving Ireland’s biggest housing challenges

“Brave and effective leadership is what is required to solve Ireland’s housing crisis.” That’s according to Bob Jordan, CEO of The Housing Agency who spoke at its Leadership in Housing conference in Dublin Castle. The purpose of the event was to inspire and motivate senior leaders in the housing sector across Ireland.

Speaking at the conference, Jordan added: “The challenges facing the housing sector in Ireland have been well documented. At The Housing Agency, we firmly believe that brave and thoughtful leadership is what is required to bring about real, positive change to meet our housing needs. The work is complex and multi-faceted and the issues we currently face won’t be resolved with quick-fix solutions. They require long-term planning and they also require the insights and experience of leaders across the housing sector. Today’s conference is an opportunity for attendees to stand back from their day-to-day roles and think about how they are approaching leadership. It’s important that we remember to also look outside our own sector to see what we can learn from leaders in other sectors who are solving complex problems.”

The Housing Agency plays a key role in being at the centre of the housing sector in Ireland by rolling out housing schemes and supports, fostering collaboration between housing bodies, local authorities, the Department and the private sector and conducting research to ensure it is constantly delivering evidence-based, best-practice solutions to meet our housing needs, added Jordan. Also speaking at the conference, Michael Carey, Chair to the Board of the Housing Agency, said: “The Leadership in Housing conference is a real opportunity to bring together the best of our sector, giving them an opportunity to share ideas and hear from expert speakers about the importance of effective leadership. Effective leadership is what drives progress and will result in good quality, affordable homes in sustainable communities. We must continue to be innovative in our solutions, promote policy changes and foster collaboration among various stakeholders.”

Attendees at the half-day conference included senior housing professionals from local authorities, Approved Housing Bodies, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, state agencies and private sector who heard from experts in housing and leadership from Ireland and abroad.

Conference speakers included expert leaders sharing their experiences bringing about change, motivating teams and promoting diversity and inclusion. Darragh O’Brien, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage provided an opening address via video. The line-up of speakers included:
· Michael Carey, Co-Founder of East Coast Bakehouse and The Company of Food and Chair of the Housing Agency
· Lucy Cronin, VP EU Public Policy in Amazon
· Dr. Sam Tsemberis, Founder of Housing First
· Mushtaq Khan, Chief Executive of the Housing Diversity Network UK
· Eileen Patterson, Board Member, Clanmil Housing and Circle VHA
· Noeline Blackwell, CEO of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre and human rights solicitor
· Grainia Long, Chief Executive at Northern Ireland Housing Executive
· John Concannon, Director General of Global Ireland, Department of Foreign Affairs
· Camilla Beglan, Programme Director – Leadership Diploma, UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School
· Graham Doyle, Secretary General of the Department of Housing
· Bob Jordan, CEO of the Housing Agency.

The Housing Agency CEO also announced the launch of a ‘Leadership in Housing Bursary Award’ in the coming weeks. “We also need to consider the next generation of leaders so that when we do pass on the baton, they feel equipped to lead ensuring a sustainable future. We will be announcing a new Leadership in Housing Bursary Award soon which will fund an emerging leader in the housing sector to undertake a diploma in leadership.”

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Michael McDonnell Managing Editor of Irish Construction Industry Magazine & Plan Magazine

Email: michael@irishconstruction.com      WWW.MCDMEDIA.IE