In new figures released by the Rental Tenancy Board, renting in Galway now ranks at an average of €1,269 per month. This means that for the first time ever, Galway City rents are on average above Cork City which stands at €1,220 per month.
Social Democrats Councillor Owen Hanley says the figures are a disgrace because they are representative of a generation that has been failed by successive housing policy.
“Everyone deserves the chance to a home, under the status quo that simple right is an ever increasing burden, and more people continue to slip through the cracks.
“As people, particularly young people, struggle with unaffordable rents it also reduces their ability to save and buy for their own home. Our current system is trapping people in a rental sector that is not fit for purpose,” he said.
“We do not just need the State to be far more proactive than it has been for the past decade. It also most act in a new way, that sees the failures of the profit driven model, and decides instead to genuinely provide homes for people.
This month Galway City Council approved in principle to work with the Land Development Agency to create a vision to redevelop the public land at the Dyke Road and Sandy Road.
Councillor Hanley said he expressed scepticism at the time because of how vital the opportunity is.
“The broad goals are in the right direction, affordable housing and cost-rental apartments, where rent is charged to cover the costs of development, not profit. I supported us initially proceeding with the plans but it won’t have my full support until we see the details. What will the actual rent be, and will it actually meet a common sense definition of affordable that actually is affordable?
“Some may argue that the urgency of the situation we face means we should accept any proposal, thinking like that is what has gotten into this situation. It is the very seriousness of the situation that I believe requires all public representatives to act as responsible custodians of public land to ensure a solution that offers homes and affordable rents to all of those who need it,” he concluded.
