Two-thirds of those polled by the Irish Times/Ipsos B&A have said that the government’s housing policy is only making the housing crisis worse.
Social Democrats TD and housing spokesperson remarked, “you know it’s time for change,” when a poll like that appears a year into the government’s term.
The Dublin North-West TD noted “91% of people want to see radical or moderate change in how the country is run – this mirrors the failure of government policy across all facets of public life.”
“Hopes of home ownership for those aspiring to buy and affordable costs and security of tenure for those who rent have been dashed by successive Fianna Fáil housing ministers – now, confidence has been lost in this coalition competence to deliver housing.”
Hearne noted that over two-thirds of voters want to see housing enshrined as a constitutional right, yet this government refuses to hold a referendum on the matter.
In coalition negotiations in 2020, the Greens pushed for a referendum on the issue to be held, but their calls were rejected out of hand by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.
He said that should the Soc Dems get into government, they would hold a referendum on the issue to make housing a constitutional right.
Hearne said the Soc Dems proposed State Construction Company would help solve the issue.
Labour’s proposed State Construction Company was part of coalition talks between the party, Fianna Fáil, and Fine Gael in the aftermath of the 2024 general election, but both parties refused to entertain Labour’s ideas.
Hearne said “a State Construction Company would operate alongside existing market delivery of housing, playing a significant role in providing more affordable and social homes.”
“More than 80% of voters want more social housing, showing that government policy has strayed too far from the wants and needs of its people – only radical change can end this housing disaster.”
The Soc Dems housing spokesperson said “the government must stop taking backwards steps on housing, such as the introduction of disastrous rental measures which will allow landlords to increase rents between tenancies, and instead adopt viable solutions like the Social Democrats plans for state-led direct delivery of social and affordable housing on a massive scale rather than relying on the market, which will never deliver affordable housing.”