CONSERVATIVE COALITION FAILING ON SOCIAL AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Labour leader Ivana Bacik TD today condemned the worsening housing crisis highlighted in the Simon Community’s “Locked Out of the Market” report, which reveals that only 3% of private rentals are accessible to households dependent on the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP).

Deputy Bacik said,

“This report is yet another damning indictment of the conservative coalition’s failure to prioritise social and affordable housing. It is not merely a matter of economics but a blatant disregard for the well-being of thousands of households who are now on the brink of homelessness. The consistent decline in the availability of rentals accessible to HAP-dependent households reflects a systemic failure to address the root causes of the housing crisis. The statistics are stark, a significant decline from 4% in 2023, 8% in 2022, and a staggering 28% in 2021, underscoring the dire situation faced by many families across the country.

“Rising rents have placed immense strain on individuals and families, pushing them to the brink of financial ruin and exacerbating the already dire situation. It is clear that incremental “tinkering around the edges” measures are insufficient to tackle the magnitude of the crisis. We urgently need bold action to increase the supply of social and affordable housing, a solution that Labour has consistently championed, only to be met with indifference and inaction from Government.

“The time for political posturing and empty promises is over. The housing crisis demands immediate and decisive action. We cannot afford to wait any longer while families suffer and communities deteriorate. It is incumbent upon Government to heed the calls for change and prioritise the construction of social and affordable housing to ensure that every individual has access to a safe and stable home.”