The findings from the Simon Community’s Locked Out of The Market survey were not surprising says Sinn Féin TD for Galway West/South Mayo Mairéad Farrell.
The survey reports for the consecutive fourth study period, no rental properties in Galway city fall within Housing Assistance Payment (HAP ) limits.
It also reports on a 50 per cent decrease of available properties since its June report.
Deputy Farrell said; “Private rented sector subsidised accommodation is out of reach for a lot of people and it is continuing to push people into homelessness.
“Government policy is devoted to the idea that HAP is an ideal housing solution for those with a social housing need. It is not. It offers no security of occupancy to tenants and is not a sustainable social housing solution.”
The report also shows that a massive 94 per cent of properties that fit into a HAP category were in Dublin which indicates the appalling lack of supply outside Dublin.
She continued; “Social housing needs are met by delivering real council homes owned by local authorities or approved housing bodies. The Government must also bring forward a plan to provide affordable housing and they must deliver on that plan.
“Increasing the supply of real social housing units is the only way to adequately tackle this crisis and the recent Budget was a missed opportunity to invest in a truly ambitious public housing programme.”
In 2019, the Galway City Council called on the Government to declare a state of emergency in relation to housing.
Deputy Farrell said; “The housing situation in Galway is only getting worse with rents continuing to rise and until something is done urgently, money will continue to go to private landlords and private developers.”
