Proposals to alleviate the housing crisis were the focus of lively debate at a meeting in the Ardboyne Hotel, Navan, county Meath, on Wednesday, (18th February).
Among the options presented for consideration to an audience of local SIPTU members, county councillors and members of the public was the introduction of rent controls, repair of local authority housing stock and direct State funding of house building.
Housing expert and lecturer in political geography at Maynooth University, Rory Hearne, addressed the event organised by the SIPTU Meath District Council.
He said: “At the current rate of housing construction the local authority housing lists will not be dealt with until 2038.”
He added: “However, if there is the popular and political will we can solve the housing crisis.”
SIPTU is currently conducting a survey of housing needs among its membership in order to better inform its debate on the union’s ‘Discussion paper on Ireland’s Housing Crisis’.
To read the discussion paper click here
http://www.siptu.ie/media/publications/name_18459_en.html