Government failing on housing

Labour’s Local Election candidate Louise Morgan Walsh, reacting to the findings of the Simon Community’s ‘Locked Out of the Market’ report, said that what was contained in the document was “another devastating indicator of how the housing crisis is going from bad to worse”.

It was yet another “damning indictment of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and, give or take the Greens, and their inability to prioritise social and affordable housing. It is unacceptable that only 3% of private rentals are accessible to households dependent on the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP). Families are being pushed to the brink of financial ruin and are struggling to find stable housing.

“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.

“The lack of affordable housing comes up again and again when I’m canvassing in Nenagh. The failure of the Government to address this crisis is appalling.

“We in Labour have emphasised the urgent need for a comprehensive strategy to alleviate the housing crisis. It is imperative for Government to prioritise substantial increases in housing supply, focusing on both affordable and social housing initiatives. The people of Nenagh and North Tipperary deserve better.

“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,” said Ms Morgan Walsh.