Local People Before Profit say young people ‘locked out of home ownership’
By Sarah Slevin
People Before Profit Westmeath have criticised the government’s ‘Housing For All’ plan and say that “an entire generation is being locked out of homeownership”. In recent weeks, the party have been leafletting around Westmeath on the housing crisis. There are around 50 members in the Westmeath branch, and they are still in their first year in the area.
PBP Westmeath have had members out canvassing and meeting people in Mullingar, Athlone, Castlepollard and Moate to hear their views and needs on housing. Party member, and organiser with the branch, Flóra Conroy, has said their analysis on the issue is resonating with people.
“People have been responding very well. The second ‘housing crisis’ is mentioned, they want to talk to us. Everyone knows someone affected by this issue, so it resonates with a lot of people,” Flóra said.
The party have criticised the ‘Housing For All’ plan launched by government at the start of the month, saying it is just a continuation of “failed policy”.
According to gov.ie, Housing for All is the government’s plan to increase the supply of housing to an average of 33,000 per year over the next decade. The plan provides for an optimal mix of social, affordable and private housing for sale and rent.
However, PBP Westmeath say the plan is relying too much on private housing, when they believe, “the most effective way to deliver a decent secure home is through public housing”.
As a young person, Flóra says her generation are being “locked out of homeownership”.
“I would also class myself as a young person who has also been priced out of the housing market. Numerous people in my life and our branch are similar and some are also students.
“At the moment it’s a major concern for the younger generation, and young families that are struggling. A lot of homelessness happens behind closed doors. It’s not always a visual problem,” Flóra added. Flóra added that there was a misconception that young people do not want to work as hard as older generations, but she has said this is not the case.
“The problem is actually a lack of supply driving prices up in comparison to 20 years ago,” Flóra said. The party has some suggestions on how to better tackle the housing crisis, such as making affordable housing available for those on modest and average incomes.
Other suggestions Flóra spoke of was banning vulture funds or to set up a “state-run construction company to build homes at cheap cost and ensure that they meet proper environmental standard”.
The party have been canvassing on the issue in Westmeath but are also helping to organise nationwide protests in September and October in conjunction with the National Homeless and Housing Coalition and Raise The Roof: Homes For All organisation.
They have said “enough is enough” and invite people to join them in protesting on the issue on Wednesday September 15 at 5.30pm at the Dáil as well as Saturday October 2.