The move by the government to end the eviction ban will undoubtedly push even more working families out of their homes and into homelessness, according to Garrett Greene, Workers’ Party representative for Cabra-Glasnevin.
Greene said: “Due to a lack of public housing supply, the number of people in emergency accommodation has continued to increase even during the period that the ban has been in place. Lifting the ban will open the floodgates and send even more working families into homelessness.”
“Tenants should not find themselves in a situation where, through no fault of their own, they are being evicted from their home. The right to property, and the right to make money simply by owning property, is not unconditional. The rules and regulations governing these rights must reflect the times. It is quite clear that when there are a record-breaking 11,754 people in homelessness, it is not the time to lift the ban.”
“With that said, simply imposing an eviction ban will not solve the housing crisis. The mass construction of public housing is the missing key.”
“A public housing system must offer a high-quality alternative to the private market that can be availed regardless of income. It must be attractive to both low-earners and middle-earners. It is possible, but it requires political will.”