From Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
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Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority (AHBRA) Statement of Strategy 2021 – 2024
The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD today (20 October 2021) welcomed the publication of the Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority Statement of Strategy.
The Strategy Statement covers the period 2021 to 2024 and outlines how the Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority (AHBRA) intend to deliver on their mandate over the next three years.
Commenting at the Department's Customs House offices, Minister O’Brien said: “I am pleased to be launching this Strategy Statement today which sets out the vision and mission of the Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority for the next three years. AHBRA will be an important element in support of our ambitious housing agenda, overseeing the effective governance, financial management and performance of all AHBs”.
The Strategy sets out five key strategic objectives which AHBRA will aim to achieve:
i. Reliable and efficient AHB Registration Framework
ii. Proportionate standards and compliance frameworks
iii. Transparent and consistent risk-based regulation
iv. Consistent and effective communication with our stakeholders
v. An agile, flexible and accountable organisation
The Regulator has a number of functions, one of which is to draft standards against which AHBs can be assessed. The standards will cover matters relating to corporate governance; financial management and reporting; property and asset management; and tenancy management. Draft standards were published on AHBRA’s website on 1 October 2021 and will remain there until 29 October 2021, allowing for representations to be made in accordance with the Act.
The Minister added: “The 28-day representation period taking place during October presents an important opportunity for stakeholders to get involved and have their say on what the standards should look like. AHBs make a vital contribution to the delivery of social housing across the country. Statutory regulation will provide further assurances to tenants, the public and potential investors that AHBs operate in a secure environment. AHBRA has an important role to play and I wish them every success as they move towards becoming operational in 2022”.
The Statement of Strategy is available to read HERE .
ENDS
Notes for Editors
• The Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority (AHBRA) was formally established on 1 February 2021.
• Ms. Susanna Lyons was appointed as CE Designate effective 1 December 2020 and appointed CEO on Establishment Day 1 February 2021.
• Nine members were appointed to the Regulator on 1 February 2021 and Mr. Eddie Lewis was appointed chair designate of the Regulator.
• As set out in the Housing (Regulation of Approved Housing Bodies) Act 2019, the functions of the Regulator shall be to:
a) establish and maintain a register of AHBs,
b) register persons as AHBs,
c) prepare draft standards for approval by the Minister under section 37 and publish the approved standards,
d) monitor and assess compliance by AHBs with this Act, in particular the approved standards,
e) carry out investigations under Part 5,
f) under Part 6, protect tenants and AHBs and cancel the registration of AHBs,
g) encourage and facilitate the better governance, administration and management, including corporate governance and financial management, of AHBs by the provision of such information and advice, in such form and manner, as the Regulator considers appropriate,
h) with a view to promoting awareness and understanding of this Act, make available such information as appears to the Regulator to be expedient to give to the public about the operation of this Act, in such form and manner, as the Regulator considers appropriate,
i) collect such information concerning AHBs as the Regulator considers necessary and appropriate for the purposes of the performance of the Regulator’s functions, and
j) publish such information (including statistical information) concerning AHBs as the Regulator considers appropriate.
• As set out in the Strategy Statement, the AHBRA’s vision is of a sector in which AHBs demonstrate best practice in the areas of governance, finance, property and tenancy management and who provide quality homes for their tenants.
• The AHBRA’s mission is to protect housing provided and managed by AHBs, through effective regulation.
• In the delivery of this Strategic Statement, the AHBRA will aim to achieve the following five key strategic objectives:
i. Reliable and efficient AHB Registration Framework
ii. Proportionate standards and compliance frameworks
iii. Transparent and consistent risk-based regulation
iv. Consistent and effective communication with our stakeholders
v. An agile, flexible and accountable organization.
Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage Press Office
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Email: press@housing.gov.ie
Website: gov.ie/housing
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