A Social Report for Ireland Volume II - the NESC Website

people of working age 131Priority actions include:s Delivery of the Housing Policy Framework: Building Sustainable Communities,with a focus on: the elimination of homelessness; assessment of need andenhanced delivery of social and affordable housing, including working towardsthe provision of an additional 73,000 social housing units as recommendedby NESC; full implementation of the Rental Accommodation Scheme; andimplementation of the Local Authority Traveller accommodation programmes.There will be a particular focus on young adults (18-29) who are the keyhousehold formation group and as such may experience challenges in accessinghousing/accommodation.s Promoting environmental sustainability through: mainstreaming environmentalconsiderations into policy formulation and better enforcement; implementationof a climate change strategy; investment in environmental infrastructure,such as water treatment and supplies and recycling facilities; and increasingenvironmental awareness.s Improving the transport infrastructure through: Transport 21 in the GreaterDublin Area, with a particular focus on improving the public transport network;a national investment programme in public transport; and consolidation andexpansion of the Rural Transport Initiative.Many of these housing/accommodation, environmental and public transportinitiatives are to be underpinned by investment allocated in the NationalDevelopment Plan. The National Action Plan for Social Inclusion 2007-2016also addresses all of these issues with a particular focus on people at riskof social exclusion.Some of these projects are likely to be deferred or curtailed because of theeconomic recession.7.7.3 Commentary on Community and Environmental Well-beingWith respect to housing there remains a considerable level of housing need.This need is likely to increase and become more urgent in the recession, both inrelation to dealing with ‘distressed mortgages’ and in providing social housingfor those who need it. The tools available, and scale of the response required, areareas requiring urgent attention. The commitment to deliver the proposals inthe ‘housing policy framework: building sustainable communities’ are welcome,but there is an urgency to meet the needs of people who are in difficulties as aresult of the recession as well as to continue to meet the needs of particularlyvulnerable groups, such as people who are homeless, people leaving institutionalcare and Travellers. The community and voluntary sector have an important role toplay here, in supporting the implementation of commitments in a comprehensive,efficient and integrated manner.