TDs want to question chiefs of approved housing body Circle after over move to back out of developments

Circle Voluntary Housing Association is facing questions from an Oireachtas committee over significant issues. The committee move follows reports that Circle is experiencing difficulties and seeking to back out of multiple housing developments. Sinn Féin housing spokesman Eoin Ó Broin requested urgent scrutiny, citing concerning developments at one of the state’s largest approved housing bodies. Ó Broin said there are significant financial issues and that the Approved Housing Body Regulator Authority and the Housing Finance Agency have concerns about aspects of Circle’s operations, which they submitted in writing. Circle has provided more than 2,500 homes and currently serves over 5,000 people. The committee seeks transparency, accountability, and reassurance that regulators address problems promptly and ensure compliance with investment procedures.

"The move by the housing committee to probe the emerging issues at Circle "as a matter of urgency" follows revelations in the Sunday Independent that Circle VHA is facing difficulties and was looking to back out of a number of developments."

""I understand that there are significant issues of a financial nature and that both the Approved Housing Body Regulator Authority (AHBRA) and the Housing Finance Agency (HFA) have concerns with aspects of Circle's operations and have submitted these to the AHB in writing," he wrote."

""Given the significant sums of public funding that is received by AHBs, it is important that there is full transparency and accountability, and that where problems arise the Oireachtas and the wider public are reassured that the relevant regulatory bodies sorted these problems in a timely manor and ensure full compliance with investment procedures and governa"

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