Govt Urged To Protect Older Generation By Investing In Social Housing

Fianna Fáil has urged the Government to continue to invest in social and affordable housing so that the population can grow old "without the burden of accommodation worries".

The party's spokesperson on Housing and Senator from Dublin Central, Mary Fitzpatrick made the comments in response to Threshold and Alone's joint report, Double Deficit: Older and Ageing Persons in the Irish Private Rental Sector.

Senator Fitzpatrick said: "I welcome this report from Threshold and Alone, which examined the challenges faced by older individuals in the private rental sector and interviewed 31 elderly renters. Among the 330,000 privately rented properties, 17,000 are occupied by individuals over the age of 65. Some older people can find themselves living alone, often grappling with social isolation and a lack of representation. Threshold and Alone have not only captured but amplified their voices."

Mary Fitzpatrick said that it is the role as legislators to put forward housing policies to support all of society and provide for those with the greatest need, including the needs of the older generation who contributed to the success of the state. She said: "We have a moral imperative to develop housing policies that are not only viable and sustainable but are also tailored to meet the specific needs of this vulnerable demographic.”


In a statement Senator Fitzpatrick said:

"In the short term, Housing For All is playing a crucial role in protecting and financially supporting renters. Initiatives such as increasing the social housing income threshold, Housing Assistance Payment, Rental Accommodation Scheme, the €750 Renters Tax Credit, Rent Pressure Zones, and the Tenant in Situ Scheme all provide essential support to tens of thousands of renters.

"In the medium to long term, it is imperative that government continues to invest in and significantly increase the provision of social and affordable housing. Local Authorities, through their Housing Needs Assessment, must identify, plan for and supply appropriate housing. When a requirement for age-appropriate housing is identified, Local Authorities should ring-fence capital funding to build senior citizen homes. The older person's financial contribution scheme, which is successfully operated by Dublin City Council should be expanded nationwide. All Local Authorities should operate a homeless prevention priority allocation for senior citizens at risk of homelessness. To ensure the state provides adequate housing for our ageing population, the right to housing should be enshrined in our constitution.

"Fianna Fáil will continue to work with Threshold and Alone to ensure every older person has a safe and secure home that meets their needs."