Saturday 12 June, 2021
The next part of The Good Information Project from The Journal will look at the core issues at the heart of Ireland’s housing crisis.
All 31 councils have applied to take part in the scheme, with the total cost to the Department of Housing set at approximately €44.7 million.
The housing crisis has been top of the political agenda for over two weeks now, following outrage over cuckoo funds.
The housing analyst responds to last night’s announcement by Government on investment funds and property.
Dr Lorcan Sirr and Orla Hegarty say that to understand the current housing crisis, you must first learn of the history of housing provision in Ireland.
It could be a “number of weeks” before new measures are announced, say sources.
Housing Minister Darragh O’Brien said he is “confident” the government will “make real strides” with housing.
In a follow-up to his housing article last week, Dr Hearne says Government is merely keen for the investment fund issue to drop from the headlines.
Our columnist takes a look at a return to Irish politics as we knew it this week, with housing again front and centre.
Eoin Ó Broin says these people should be included in the government’s homelessness figures.
The Housing Minister has said that proposals could be tabled as early as next week.
Outside Dublin, house prices were up by 4.3% and apartment prices up by 9.6%.
In Dublin, prices rose by 6.9% in the year to March 2021, but the largest increases were seen in the counties surrounding Dublin and in the other cities.
The Taoiseach said that the resumption of house builds from 12 April includes home refurbishments.
February stats show that there are 8,238 people in emergency accommodation.
Last year the State delivered just over 5,000 new build social homes.
An eviction ban for those in arrears has been in place across the country since late October,
The lockdown will mean housing targets could be off by between 6,500 and 7,000 new homes,
Homeless numbers are down but Simon Communities says the full impact of the pandemic will only be seen when restrictions are lifted permanently.
Surveyors predict a 4% rise in house prices in Ireland in 2021.
There were 4,495 adults without child dependents classified as homeless nationally in October.
The shutdown of the industry slowed progress this year but it is unlikely further lockdowns would stop construction.
Approvals and drawdowns on the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan scheme fell significantly from March onwards.
The bodies of two men were found in different areas of Dublin city centre in the early hours of yesterday morning.
Dr Rory Hearne says the Government’s housing model is fundamentally flawed and it’s time for a complete overhaul of the system.
Rent prices in Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford cities have risen compared to last year.
Michael McGrath said the State “needs to place a much greater emphasis” on directly building social and affordable housing.
The request comes as the minister carries out a review on whether co-living developments should be banned.
With a review underway into the permission for a development in Rathmines, another application for Harold’s Cross is being considered.
Renters are more likely to work in the sectors worst hit by the pandemic.
Sinn Féin TD Eoin Ó Broin says the new government has already reneged on its promises in relation to housing.
Applicants who received approval before the Covid-19 crisis have had approval pulled.
The total number of homeless people in Ireland is currently 8,876.
Charities are asking the government to take action to prevent more homelessness in the wake of the pandemic.
The figures were released in the Irish Council for Social Housing’s activity report for 2019.
The number of households on the payment has risen by 5,136 since mid-March.
Housing groups have warned that Ireland could see a rise in evictions as a result of the crisis.
Dr Michael Byrne of UCD welcomes new measures to protect tenants but says they should not be left to pick up the pieces once the virus passes.
