Working together makes sense

Housing systems in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland have evolved along different policy and regulatory paths, yet they face remarkably similar challenges, writes Paddy Gray.

Rising construction costs, labour shortages, growing demand for social and affordable housing, and the need to build resilient communities are shared challenges across the island. As both jurisdictions seek solutions to housing supply and sustainability, greater collaboration offers significant potential.

The housing crisis does not recognise a border, and neither should the search for solutions. Many challenges are shared.

One of the most pressing is the shortage of skilled labour. Private developers, housing associations, approved housing bodies (AHBs), and local authorities are competing for a limited pool of construction workers, with shortages largely a consequence of the 2008 financial crash.

An all-island approach to workforce development could deliver substantial benefits. Joint apprenticeships, skills initiatives, and construction training programmes could create a larger, more flexible labour market. Housing providers, construction federations, educational institutions, and government departments could identify future workforce needs.

Procurement collaboration also offers opportunities. Shared learning around off-site construction, modern methods of construction, and framework agreements could help reduce costs while accelerating delivery. Viewing housing supply as a common challenge could help both sectors develop stronger construction capacity.

While increasing housing output remains essential, the success of social housing organisations is ultimately measured by the quality of communities they help create. Radius Housing in Northern Ireland and Tuath Housing in the Republic demonstrate the importance of community development, social inclusion, health and wellbeing, tenant empowerment, and resident participation.

Building on this experience, there is potential to establish an all-island body focused on community development and tenant participation. Bringing together housing associations, AHBs, tenant representatives, community organisations, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive, relevant government departments, and The Housing Agency could promote best practice, training, research, and collaborative initiatives. Most importantly, it would strengthen knowledge-sharing and keep tenant voices at the centre of housing policy and service delivery.

Sector representation offers another opportunity. The AHB sector in the Republic is represented by the Irish Council for Social Housing (ICSH), while Northern Ireland’s housing associations are represented through the Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Associations (NIFHA). Although both organisations advocate for providers facing many of the same challenges, there has never been a formal all-island federation bringing the sectors together.

An all-island federation could provide a stronger collective voice on funding, planning reform, sustainability, skills shortages, tenant engagement, and housing supply. It would not replace existing representative organisations, but complement them by focusing on priorities that transcend jurisdictional boundaries.

It could facilitate policy dialogue, research, joint conferences, and advocacy, while giving policymakers a broader evidence base. With both sectors facing pressures around climate targets, demographic change and affordability, greater coordination could strengthen their ability to influence policy and secure investment, particularly in border areas.

Perhaps the most ambitious area for collaboration lies in regulation. The establishment of the Approved Housing Bodies Regulatory Authority (AHBRA) in the Republic has strengthened governance and accountability, while Northern Ireland’s housing associations operate under a separate framework overseen by the Department for Communities.

While the systems have developed independently, there is merit in exploring greater regulatory cooperation. Both share objectives around governance standards, financial oversight, tenant protection, and long-term organisational sustainability.

Initially, this could involve enhanced information sharing, joint learning exercises, and regular engagement between AHBRA and the Department for Communities. This would allow both jurisdictions to exchange expertise and identify emerging risks. While legislative and constitutional considerations would need to be addressed, the concept warrants serious discussion.

The housing sectors in the Republic and Northern Ireland face many of the same challenges. Both are striving to increase supply, support vulnerable households, strengthen communities, and respond to pressures.

The case for greater all-island cooperation is compelling. The expertise already exists, and partnerships are developing. What is needed now is a willingness to build structures that allow collaboration to flourish.

Collaboration will not solve every challenge overnight. However, by working together on labour shortages, community development, tenant participation, sector representation, and regulatory oversight, housing organisations north and south can lay firmer foundations not only for more homes, but for more resilient communities.