Ireland urgently needs to resume construction and supply of affordable new homes. Our competitiveness, ability to create jobs and social inclusion can be damaged by the low level of supply and high cost of homes.Endorsing the Governments identification of affordability as a primary goal of housing policy, the National Economic and Social Council (NESC) yesterday provided Government with a report on housing supply and land management. The Council emphasises the importance of not returning to the speculative and unstable system of home building, which proved unaffordable, unsustainable, ineffective and ultimately economically and socially damaging.