Changes to LDA “undermine” Dublin’s housing needs, says Doolan

Sinn Féin councillor Daithí Doolan has said that planned changes to the Land Development Agency will “totally undermine” local authorities’ ability to deliver housing that meets the needs of Dublin.

The planned changes will allow for up to 30% of homes delivered by the Land Development Agency on state-owned land to be sold on the private market.

“This totally flies in the face of what is really needed in Dublin. We urgently need council and real affordable housing delivered as quickly as possible. The quickest and most efficient way to deliver this housing is on state owned land. Now the Government are planning to use state land to supply private housing. This is short sighted and will only contribute to the housing crisis,” he said.

“This clearly shows just how out of touch this government really is when it comes to meeting the needs of Dublin. This proves yet again we urgently need a government that works with us, not against us.

The Ballyfermot-Drimnagh councillor said “Dublin’s local authorities, in line with the National Planning Directive, have rezoned land for thousands of more homes,  much of it on private land. What we desperately need is developers to start developing, the Land Development Agency to start delivering social and affordable housing and a government that assists local authorities. These proposals will do none of this.”

“We fully acknowledge that we need strong communities, with infrastructure and mixed tenures. This is exactly what our plans will deliver. Social housing and housing that is genuinely affordable to rent and buy. This will deliver sustainable housing that meets the needs of Dublin.

Doolan said, “these changes to the Land Development Agency need to be blocked.”

“If the government are allowed to proceed they will only serve to deepen the housing crisis in Dublin and other cities and towns,” he warned.