Increased Housing Supply the only workable solution to Housing Affordability

Increased Housing Supply the only workable solution to Housing Affordability – Aontú

Aontú have today dismissed the Irish government’s response to the UN on housing affordability, accusing the Irish government of being out of touch with reality and incapable of understanding how to tackle the crisis.

The government have informed the UN that they intend to spend €2.4 billion on housing in 2019, however what they didn’t mention is that the bulk of these payments go to line the pockets of private landlords and hotel owners by way of rent supplement and HAP and the state ends up with very little assets to show for such massive spending.

We are calling on the government to refocus investment away from leasing or purchasing houses on the private market as this strategy does not increase the supply of housing in the state and serves only to drive up house prices and private market rents. The Government must commit to building new social housing units that add to the overall housing stock in the state.

Increases in supply have to be large and sustained to have an effect on affordability. The current rate of increase in supply, in the South of Ireland especially, is just not keeping pace with demand. The government have known for many years now that the Housing Market is broken and yet they continue to tinker around the edges of the system when a complete overhaul is required.

Aontú calls on the government to immediately commit to putting in place a real plan to deal with our Housing emergency.

The Irish political system is radically broken

In Ireland the vast majority of elected representatives put a finger in the air to check which way the political wind is blowing. They have one eye on their leaders – seeking brownie points – and another eye keeping their seat safe. If elected reps shut up and do as they’re told, they are promoted; if they stand up for what they believe in, they are demoted. No wonder we have the political class we have. No wonder one point one billion euro is being buried in a hole under the National Children’s Hospital and that Stormont is in stalemate.

Throughout Ireland, many people are now afraid to say what they feel, many are afraid to respectfully engage on a range of different topics. Many feel there is a new censorship and a new political correctness in Ireland, that opposition to the establishment is being deleted.

Respectful opposition is not the enemy. Respectful opposition is a critical element of a functional democracy. Aontú will have the backbone to stand up, without fear, for you.