The government is under fire for losing control of the housing crisis as nearly 2,000 people have applied for just 20 cost rental homes. The applications for these one and two-bedroom apartments at Griffin Point in Clongriffin were opened on Tuesday. Respond, a housing body, has revealed that the rents for these apartments will be set at least 25 percent below market rates. The monthly rent for one-bedroom cost rentals is €1,326, while two-bedroom units cost €1,478. These cost rental homes are available to individuals who do not qualify for social housing but have a net annual household income of less than €66,000. As the deadline for applications for the 20 homes in Griffin Point approaches, Respond has already received 1,857 queries, according to the Irish Times.
Criticism has been directed at the government for failing to meet housing targets, with only 10,595 new-build social homes delivered out of a target of 12,930. Labour Party housing spokesperson Conor Sheehan has called on Housing Minister James Browne to provide a clear plan for the delivery of affordable homes. Sheehan stated, “Report after report, statistic after statistic, everything points to the same conclusion: Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have no plan.” He highlighted the increasing homelessness figures, soaring rents, and escalating house prices, accusing the government of neglecting the plight of those affected by their lack of action.
The high number of applications for homes in Clongriffin underscores the overwhelming demand for affordable housing and the urgent need for intervention. Sheehan also criticized the “failed” Housing for All project and emphasized the necessity of supporting individuals on single incomes. He pointed out the government’s focus on joint incomes in housing policy discussions, despite the significant population of single individuals in Ireland. The housing crisis, as evidenced by the large number of applications for homes in Clongriffin, reflects the failure of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil to address the pressing issue at hand. The lack of concrete action to tackle this crisis raises questions about the government’s commitment to resolving the housing crisis that continues to plague the nation.
