Sinn Féin TD for Cork North Central, Thomas Gould, has said that the government must resource Cork city Council to build homes.
Teachta Gould said:
“The LDA is paying €445,000 on average for apartments in Cork city. This is an eye-watering sum and almost €100,000 above the average home price in Cork according to the latest Daft residential report.
“The LDA should not be buying these homes from private developers. This eyewatering amount is a direct consequence of poor government policy that has put profits above those trapped in the Housing Crisis.
“If these homes are to be put forward for affordable purchase, hardworking families in Cork city could be paying almost half a million euro. On what planet is that affordable?
“What we need to know is if the LDA will be applying for government funding for these homes. If so, how much?
“How much will these homes cost ordinary workers and families? We have seen repeatedly that the LDA has failed to deliver truly affordable homes. This cannot be another situation that sees so-called affordable and cost rental homes delivered far out of the reach of average workers and families.
“337 apartments for €150million is not good value for money. That is the reality.
“Sinn Féin have consistently called for local authorities to deliver the homes that people need. Cork City Council should be properly resourced to deliver at scale to meet the needs of Cork families and individuals.
“There are countless brownfield sites in Cork city that Cork City Council could be building on. Instead, we have the LDA entering into deals with developers that do not benefit people in Cork desperate for a home of their own.
“Buying expensive turnkey units from developers is not the solution to this housing crisis. The former Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien was correct when he said the LDA would offer a ‘three-wheeled Del-Boy solution’ to the housing crisis. That is exactly what we are now facing in Cork city with this deal.
“Policies like this will only allow the housing crisis to worsen.”
