Sinn Féin spokesperson on Housing, Eoin Ó Broin TD, has said that a growing number of people are locked out of the government’s cost rental scheme.
Deputy Ó Broin has written to the Minister for Housing calling for an urgent review of the rent levels in government-funded cost rental schemes.
The Dublin Mid-West TD’s comments were made as the Land Development Agency opened its Shanganagh Castle scheme with rents ranging from €1175 for a studio apartment to €1775 for a three-need apartment.
He added that the failure to deliver affordable housing is yet more proof that a return of a Fianna Fáil-Fine Gael government is the worst possible outcome for people.
Teachta Ó Broin said:
“For over a week now we have listened to Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael musings over rotating Taoisigh, ministerial jobs and meeting rooms being played out over our airwaves.
“Despite all the noise, we haven’t heard anything from the outgoing coalition partners about the number one issue facing ordinary people, the unaffordability of housing.
“Instead of measuring up ministerial offices, the prospective coalition partners should be telling the public what they are going to do to make housing affordable and back into reach for ordinary people.
“Today the Land Development Agency opened applications for the cost rental homes in Shanganagh Castle, Dún Laoghaire. The rents are €1175 for a studio, €1250 for a one-bed, €1575 for a two-bed and €1775 for a three-bed apartment.
“While these rents are below market rents for new rental properties, they are as expensive, if not more expensive, than rents for existing renters across many parts of Dublin.
“This is yet more proof that a return of a Fianna Fáil-Fine Gael government is the worst possible outcome for people.
“I am increasingly concerned that a growing number of people who earn too much to be eligible for social housing are being locked out of cost rental accommodation because the rents would be more than a third of their take home pay.
“Today I have written to the LDA, Clúid, Tuath, Respond and Circle asking them to provide information on the number of applicants for their cost rental schemes who are within the income eligibility caps but whose applications are rejected because they do not pass the affordability test.
“I have also written to the Minister for Housing urging him to conduct an urgent review into the rent setting of government cost rental schemes in light of the growing number of people falling between social housing and increasingly unaffordable cost rental schemes.
“Cost rents are simply too high. Sinn Féin’s alternative housing plan sets out how entry rents at or below €1000 per month can be achieved.
“Unless the government changes how they finance and deliver these schemes the very people for whom cost rental was designed will simply be unable to afford it.
“There is a desperate need to change government policy to make housing affordable, and whether Sinn Féin is in government or in opposition, we will continue to have the back of all those people who voted for us.”
