10 May 2016
By Elaine Murphy
elaine@TheCork.ie
Sinn Féin TD Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire has expressed his concern, and alarm at the continued runaway increases in rent in Cork City, and the impact it is having on so many families.
He was speaking following the publication of a report by Daft.ie, which showed that rent in the last 12 months had risen more in Cork City than any other urban centre.
Deputy Ó Laoghaire said;
“The Housing Crisis in Cork is getting more severe by the day. This is illustrated by the fact that Cork City saw an increase of an enormous 16% in a year. That is a much greater increase year on year than Dublin, or any other urban centre. The average cost of renting a home is €1003, but it is much higher than that in some neighbourhoods.
“The dynamic in the City, is replicated and echoed in Metropolitan Cork, in places such as Carrigaline, Ballincollig, and Glanmire.
“This is having a devastating effect on those who are on low and middle incomes, as it puts private rented accommodation beyond the reach of social housing applicants as the rental caps for the HAP and RAS schemes are way too low. High rental prices force many families out of the market, which in turn is adding to the housing crisis.
“Every day, we are dealing with families who are desperately trying to find rental accommodation within the current rent caps but are unable to do so. This is leading to homelessness, and massive overcrowding to the point of squalor.
“It is also having an impact economically as more and more business leaders are expressing concern about their ability to attract investment into Cork, due to lack of accommodation for employees.
“The Minister for Housing is from this constituency, and there is a special responsibility on him to ensure that the crisis in Cork, and nationally, is dealt with effectively.
“We need rent control, and a serious investment in Social Housing; last year saw a record low in Social Housing builds. The government’s draft programme for government does not mention rent certainty or rent controls as being viable tools to provide some security for tenants. Minister Coveney must revisit this omission and introduce real rent certainty.”
