A Letter From Ireland
a Chara,
This week Sinn Féin launched its housing action plan: “A Home of Your Own”.
The housing crisis in the South has deepened under the current government of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. Rents are unaffordable and institutional investors snap up available properties. Recently 80% of properties in a new-build development went to a single investor. Working families have no chance of owning a home.
House prices and rents are now above the previous high which led to a property crash and banking crisis.
The impact of the government’s policy extends beyond the housing market. Emigration levels are growing with young professionals and trades moving to Canada, Britain and Australia to find places to live. Public services are undermined as teachers, police and care workers cannot access accommodation. Businesses are struggling to recruit with increased wages required to meet the cost of rent.
This crisis is sustained by government policy and the dogmatic belief that the market will resolve the issue. The housing market works for landlords and developers, not society as a whole. All sections of the community and economy are paying the price.
In Dublin from the 1950’s to the 1970’s public housing would be provided for those on low to middle incomes. Those on higher incomes could afford to own a home. All enjoyed the security of tenure. Work was in short supply but housing was guaranteed.
In the North, discrimination in the allocations of housing was one of the drivers of the civil rights movement and was linked to gerrymandering and voter suppression. The fear of eviction and homelessness looms large in our history and psyche.
Housing has been and always will be a highly political policy. Through the late 80’s a new policy was adopted. Housing was no longer about a home but became an investment commodity. The building of public housing slowed to a trickle, existing public housing sold off, and incentives given to developers. In the south, this was wrapped in an odour of corruption with an endless stream of inquiries and tribunals
Forty years on and in the South we have families that should have access to public housing and those who should own a home competing for inflated rents in the private rented sector. Rents increase, there is no security of tenure, and new developments go to institutional investors. The cycle continues.
That is why Sinn Féin’s new policy document is so important. It is a common sense approach: build homes. Those who should be availing of public housing should have that opportunity with security of tenure. Those who can purchase should be able to buy affordable homes.
The private rented sector should be better regulated. Similar problems play out in communities in the US and Canada, with a generation without the hope of owning a home. That is wrong in Ireland and elsewhere.
This week Sinn Féin has demonstrated that it has the plan. It now needs the opportunity to be in government to deliver.
Have a great weekend.
Is mise,
Ciarán
Ciarán Quinn is the Sinn Féin Representative to North America. Each week he writes a letter from Ireland with news and analysis. It is featured in the weekly Friends of Sinn Féin USA Newsletter. Be sure you are subscribed to stay up to date.
