GE2024... Promises on housing are built to be broken, who can deliver results?

HOUSING

In Meath and across the country, probably the biggest issue by far is that of housing and homelessness.

According to homeless charity DePaul, there are currently 14,760 people, including 4,561 children in emergency accommodation in Ireland with thousands of families facing into their second, or third Christmas in what was intended to be temporary accommodation.

Here in Meath the most recent monthly management report shows there are 446 people in emergency accommodation, 125 of them children and 20 of them are old age pensioners.

The housing waiting list in Meath, has fallen from a high of over 4,000 applicants, but there were still 3,200 on the list last July.

According to Meath Co Council, emergency accommodation is needed as the result of family breakdown, relationship breakdown, notices to quit, domestic violence, overcrowding, couch surfing, addiction, mental health, house fire, unsuitable accommodation and rough sleeping.

Opposition candidates are quick to point out the current national homeless figure of 14,760 people does not count the hundreds of thousands of adults, who are currently living with their parents across the country, those who are sleeping rough or those who are sleeping on couches with friends.

The opposition are quick to blame the government for the crisis and have published their own solutions to the problem.

Aontú leader and Meath West TD, Peadar Tóibín says his party in government will provide 8,000 vacant home grants of up to €70,000 each, grants of up to €30,000 for refurbishment of above-the=shop accommodation, build 15,000 social and affordable homes a year for the life of the next Dáil and will introduce a no-fault eviction ban for tenants for a two year period.

Sinn Féin has produced a 109-page document setting out how in government they would deliver 300,000 public and private homes over five years.

Deputy Johnny Guirke said the plan is based on extensive engagement with the public, semi-state and private sector development communities.

“The plan would see a doubling in the output of social housing to 75,000 new-build homes and 7,500 acquisitions over five years, to reduce waiting lists and end long term homelessness."

Fianna Fail's proposals to tackle the crisis include expanding the rate of homebuilding to 60,000 homes per year in 2030, prioritising first time buyers, affordable housing and support for renters, allocating €4 billion from one-off revenue to the Land Development Agency to boost the delivery of social and affordable homes, and €2 billion to a new Towns Investment Fund

Fianna Fail's Caroline O Reilly, a candidate in Meath East says: "Housing is a huge issue, and a massive priority for Fianna Fáil. We have to work to be able to support people to be able to purchase their own home."

Fine Gael's proposals including raising the relief under Help to Buy to €40,000, building around 300,000 homes by 2030 and collaborating with local authorities to expand affordable purchase options in all counties.