Labour launches ambitious plan for housing

• Build 50,000+ new homes annually 
• Stronger renter protections
• End vacancy and dereliction

Labour Leader and Housing Spokesperson Ivana Bacik TD today launched Labour’s transformative housing policy to deliver at least 50,000 new build homes a year, secure affordable housing for those hoping to buy a home, tackle vacancy and dereliction, and protect renters across Ireland.

Deputy Bacik said:

“The housing crisis in Ireland has reached devastating levels. The Government’s Housing for All plan has failed to provide the urgent housing Ireland needs. Homelessness is rising, rents are soaring, and many people have lost hope of ever owning a home. With a record 14,760 people living in emergency accommodation, including 4,561 children, urgent state intervention is required.

“This is nothing short of a national scandal – and it’s one that Labour has a bold, clear, and practical plan to address. Labour is committed to building at least 50,000 new homes per year to give people in Ireland the security and affordability they need.

“Housing is the civil rights issue of this generation. Labour will transform the housing system to ensure that everyone has a place to call home. Our plan will be underpinned by the Housing Commission’s recommendations and will be realised through a dedicated Housing Delivery Oversight Executive and a State Construction Company to stabilise delivery.

Labour’s Vision for Housing

“Ireland faces a deficit of 250,000 homes. Recent research by the Housing Commission indicates that, to meet future demand, Ireland will need up to 62,000 new homes annually until 2050 – a target far exceeding the government’s inadequate 2025 goal of 34,500.

“The Government’s lack of ambition and action has left Ireland in a deep housing deficit. Labour’s target of at least 50,000 homes annually may seem high, but it is grounded in reality. Housing is a fundamental right, and Labour’s mission is to make this right a reality for all. Although reaching our goal will take time, it is essential to aim high and address this crisis with the urgency it demands.”

Establishing a State Construction Company

“A State Construction Company will be central to Labour’s housing strategy, guaranteeing that homes are consistently delivered and planned for years to come.

“For decades, the private market has failed to meet Ireland’s housing needs. The private sector’s cycle of boom and bust has left families and communities vulnerable. By establishing a State Construction Company, Labour will provide the permanent capacity Ireland needs to deliver homes at scale. This state-led approach will act as a counterbalance to the for-profit model, providing stability and meeting the real housing needs of Irish people.

Tackling Vacancy and Dereliction

“Labour’s housing plan also addresses the issue of vacancy and dereliction that blights communities across the country.

“We can no longer ignore the scandal of vacancy and dereliction. Labour in Government would conduct a comprehensive national survey to create a database of vacant and derelict properties across Ireland. Local authorities will be given the resources they need to take over properties left vacant for more than three years through a streamlined Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) process. Publicly owned properties, including HSE buildings, will be repurposed for key worker housing. This is not only a housing issue but a community renewal issue.

Strengthening Renters’ Rights

“Labour’s housing policy is committed to restoring fairness to the rental market, where renters face constant insecurity and unaffordable costs.

“The private rental market is broken. Renters live in fear of eviction, and costs continue to climb. Labour will act to protect renters’ rights, with measures including an immediate freeze on rents and evictions until housing supply improves significantly. We will establish a Register of Rents and shift the balance so that renters are truly protected in their homes. Landlords will retain the right to remove tenants who do not meet lease terms, but evictions on other grounds will be tightly restricted. Labour’s housing policy puts people, not profits, at the centre.”

A Call for Ambitious Change

“The next government will have more resources than ever before to address the housing crisis head-on. Labour has a plan that is both ambitious and achievable. Our vision is one of security, affordability, and opportunity. People in Ireland deserve a housing system that provides safe, affordable homes, protects renters, and revitalises our communities. Labour is ready to deliver.

“Labour calls on all those who believe in a fairer Ireland to support this housing plan by electing Labour Party TDs. With political will and a clear vision, we can end Ireland’s housing crisis and build a better future, where everyone has a place to call home.”