TD outlines scale of housing crisis in Tipp

Tipperary Sinn Fein TD Martin Browne outlined the scale of the housing crisis facing people in Co Tipperary.

Teachta Browne was speaking on Tuesday, November 22, during Sinn Fein’s motion demanding the declaration of a housing emergency.

Teachta Browne said: “On the day of the debate, it was revealed that rent costs in Co Tipperary soared by 12.8% in the last 12 months to an average monthly rent of €1,133. On the same day, there were only 17 rental vacancies list in Co Tipperary on Daft.ie.

“Coupled with increased inflation rates, it is clear that many people have no more left to give. It is clear we are in the midst of a housing emergency in Tipperary and indeed across the country. But there is a resistance at government level to acknowledge that.

“But for the people who are in contact with me – from teachers sleeping in cars, and people living in sheds, to the man who called into my office after spending the night in a tent – their housing needs demand emergency measures.

“Many of these people are not included in the homeless statistics as they aren’t in emergency accommodation. So, the true numbers of those homeless is much higher that government figures suggest.

“To resist a call to declare an emergency is out of touch with the real situation on the ground for too many people.

“We must also remember that as matters stand, whole generations are increasingly becoming locked out any aspiration of home ownership.

“Sky high rents, unaffordable house prices and the overall shortage of available accommodation is also causing many people to put up with substandard housing. They are left with little choice but to put up with unsuitable condition because there is nowhere else for them to go – the sheer number of people waiting on Tipperary’s housing list is testament to that.

“I raised the plight of many individuals and families who are caught up in this crisis at the moment in Co Tipperary. A crisis needs a crisis response.”