Tackling student housing is crucial to solving the housing crisis
The inclusion of student accommodation in the Labour Party Social and Affordable Housing Bill which was launched today has been warmly welcomed by Labour Youth, among a wide range of other issues tackled in this Bill which is intended to be tabled in the Dáil as soon as possible.
National Chairperson of Labour Youth, Grace Williams commented, “The housing crisis we are now facing is becoming a prevalent feature in Irish society. Various reports have indicated increasing difficulties with supply and affordability in the housing market, and Labour’s Bill seeks to deal with these issues in a comprehensive and practical manner.
“We are particularly happy to see the explicit inclusion of students in the Bill. Multiple studies undertaken by organisations such as the HEA, the USI, and Daft.ie have noted the significant and specific issues that students face in seeking accommodation.
“We are extremely pleased to have been able to work closely with our Housing Spokesperson, Deputy Jan O’Sullivan, during the drafting of the Bill to ensure that student accommodation was included. We are also pleased that intentions to end the student housing crisis as a matter of urgency were reaffirmed today by Deputies Jan O’Sullivan and Alan Kelly.
“We hope that this Bill, when proposed to the Dáil, will receive cross party support in the spirit of the new politics of the 32nd Dáil. It is a very progressive step in the provision of affordable housing for Ireland.”