Govt Called To Move Away From Private Sector Solutions To Housing Crisis

Only 8% of rental properties in Ireland surveyed across 11 areas are priced within the reach of households receiving Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) and Rent Supplement, according to study by the Simon Communities.

The report, Locked Out of the Market XI, looked at the cost of renting in eleven locations across state.

Sinn Féin TD David Cullinane said: "The report also highlighted a growing area of concern that no properties were available in Galway City Centre, Limerick City Centre, or Portlaoise across all four categories.


"Furthermore, just one property was available across all categories in Athlone, Dublin City Centre, North Kildare, Sligo Town, and Waterford City Centre.

"This is the lowest recorded point in a downwards trend that has been declining since Rent Supplement and HAP limits were increased in July 2016.

"This report further highlights how private rented sector government subsidised accommodation is out of reach for a lot of citizens and it is pushing people into homelessness.

"Increasing the supply of real social housing units is the only way to adequately tackle this crisis. The government must at least double capital expenditure in social and affordable housing in Budget 2019.

"This must be coupled with the introduction of real rent certainty and security of tenure."

(CD)