Government apartment shambles a mess of their own creation
Government apartment shambles a mess of their own creation - The Labour Party
- Minister must go back to the drawing board
Labour’s housing spokesperson Conor Sheehan TD said Government’s failure to think through the consequences of new apartment standards leaves serious questions unanswered.
Deputy Sheehan said:
“I’m calling on the Minister for Housing to go back to the drawing board on the apartment guidelines that are currently before the courts.
“Back in July, I vociferously opposed the new apartment guidelines, warning the Minister directly that these guidelines could end up in the court.
“Some of these apartments are going to be as small as 32sq.m. and no putative buyer in the private market will be wiling to buy an apartment that small, there is just not the market for it.
“These apartments are going to be build-to-rent in Dublin and Cork only, places where we know there is a lack of long-term accommodation options. Cramping people in to tight spaces will lead to churn in the market when and if people can find an option that suits them better.
“What is proposed under the new apartment guidelines ultimately represents very small, single aspect and quite depressing dark living spaces that either social housing tenant or transient renters will be forced to live in. Why is this Government happy with this? They know that renters are struggling. Reduced living standards is simply not the answer.
“In the case currently before the courts, this Government sought to circumvent the planning system – failing to carry out appropriate strategic environmental assessments on these lower standard apartment guidelines.
“It represents just another way in which this Government is committed to giving developers everything they want – a VAT cut, lower apartment standards, and free for all when it comes to what rents are charged. Appeasing developers did not solve the housing crisis the last time they tried this, and now they’re asking people to believe that cutting these corners, tax breaks for developers and lower standards will solve it this time.”