Government must address exponential growth in levels of housing need says Hearne

The sheer level of housing need in Ireland far exceeds what the government’s housing plan is delivering, according to Social Democrats housing spokesperson Rory Hearne.

The Dublin North-West TD was speaking after the latest report on housing from the Parliamentary Budget Office found that the government is not delivering an acceptable level of housing.

The report estimated that the national social housing stock would need to increase by 51% to accommodate all who need a social home.

“The report shows rising rents and house prices have led to a grave affordability crisis and a rise in housing need – in particular, it is shocking that at least 85,182 children, or around 7% of all children in the country, have an ongoing housing need,” he noted.

“Within this group, at least 25,108 children (29%) lived in households on social housing waiting lists, while more than twice that number, 60,074 children (71%), were in HAP-supported households.

“Children made up 23% of Ireland’s total population in 2024, yet they accounted for 38% of the overall housing need – for many, this country is no place to grow up in. Adults over fifty now account for over a quarter of that need.

Hearne said “it is important to highlight that we do not know how many more families are living in hidden homelessness, couch surfing or living in overcrowded conditions.”

“The increase in the number of couples in receipt of HAP shows there’s a growing need for large social housing units, while an increase in young adults stuck in their parent’s home with no possibility of renting or buying has left them with no choice but to apply for social housing, further increasing the need for greater provision.

“The PBO points out that the needs of HAP households are only partially met due to rising rents, the limited supply of suitable rental properties, and the lack of secure tenure in the private rental market – for this reason, those in receipt of HAP must be added to social housing waiting lists.

“The growing number of people in need of social housing means the building of units must accelerate exponentially to meet that need – currently, the government is ignoring this worrying trend.

“The State must change its approach to housing provision and commit to building social and affordable homes at a larger scale – the Social Democrats have laid out how this could be funded by a State-backed saving scheme and the development of modular home factories.”