CIH Ireland Report Calls for Professional Recognition of Housing Sector Careers
A CIH Ireland report urges professional recognition for housing careers, akin to architects, to tackle Ireland’s housing crisis. It identifies training gaps and advocates for new educational pathways and mandatory qualifications. This aims to define the profession, enhance job security, and attract future talent.
A new report by the non-profit Chartered Institute of Housing Ireland (CIH Ireland) highlights the need to elevate careers in the housing sector to the same professional standing as architects, planners, and engineers to address Ireland’s housing crisis.
The report, CIH Ireland’s first examining professional standards, identifies gaps in training and sector-wide recognition for housing professionals. It proposes creating a new job style encompassing policy, landlord-tenant relations, and land use, advocating for specific educational pathways for a ‘housing professional’ beyond existing college studies.
Based on a survey of 65 housing professionals from various sectors, the report found that over half of respondents lacked a clear definition of professionalism, and three-quarters supported mandatory qualifications for senior professionals. CIH Ireland Chairperson Kathleen Cottier emphasized the need for a more defined profession with clear standards. CIH Ireland recommends five strategic actions to improve national professionalism.
Technological University Dublin senior lecturer Lorcan Sirr noted the research shows housing is often neglected as a legitimate career, especially in the public sector. He added that housing professionals desire qualifications for structured career paths, similar to those for architects, planners, and engineers, to enhance job security and attract future generations.