DUBLIN WEST TD Ruth Coppinger’s Anti-Eviction Bill – designed to protect the rights of people facing homelessness – was defeated in the Dáil earlier this month by the narrowest of margins.
The Government and Opposition were tied at 51 votes and the deciding vote was cast by Ceann Comhairle Sean O’Fearghail.
Northside People spoke to Cllr Matt Waine (Mulhuddart) of the Anti Austerity Alliance, who explained what he believes the bill would have meant for people facing homelessness and the current housing crisis in Dublin 15.
“We were responding to cases that had come before us,” said Cllr Waine.
“Over 40 per cent of them were due to the landlord either selling the property or wanting to move a family member in.
“This has been used by some landlords to exploit a loophole whereby they can get rid of existing tenants, bring in a new one and significantly raise the rent they were charging before.
“The Anti-Eviction Bill would have changed the legislation so that if a landlord sold the property, the tenant would be unaffected and the property sold with the tenant in situ.
“If a landlord did want to bring a family member in, they would be required to compensate the tenant with six months’ rent.”
A Dáil standing order means that a party cannot put forward a similar bill within the next six months.
But Cllr Waine says there’s nothing to prevent the Government from putting forward specific legislation, which his party is now campaigning for.
“At the moment, according to Fingal County Council, there are 300 families in emergency accommodation or about to become homeless,” he added.
“Those figures are creeping up month-on-month, so the crisis is getting worse and Dublin 15 is the worst blackspot in the Dublin region.”
The AAA is campaigning for major social and affordable housing development in Dublin 15.
The party believes that there could be up to 2,000 affordable houses built in the area within 18 months.
“If you look at where housing construction is taking place in Dublin 15, its all in the Castleknock end, where the starting price for a modest three-bed terraced home is €450,000,” said Cllr Waine.
“By the council offering affordable housing, we believe you could turn around houses for €150,000.”
Despite their bill being defeated, the Anti-Austerity Alliance is advising tenants under threat of eviction to not move out of their home, no matter what.
“If you do, you’re essentially making yourself homeless, and the best that can be offered in that situation is emergency accommodation in a hotel in the greater Dublin region and you could be in that situation for up
to 16 months,” said Cllr Waine.
“We would encourage people to challenge any notifications from their landlord through the PRTB.”
REPORT: Ken Phelan